Who Owns You?: The Corporate Gold Rush to Patent Your Genes
Books / Paperback
ISBN: 1405187301 / Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell, March 2009
Who Owns You? is a comprehensive exploration of the numerous philosophical and legal problems of gene patenting.Provides the first comprehensive book-length treatment of this subjectDevelops arguments regarding moral realism, and provides a method of judgment that attempts to be ideologically neutralCalls for public attention and policy changes to end the practice of gene patenting
Read More
In this volume meant for general readers, Koepsell (philosophy, Technology U. of Delft, and 3TU Centre for Ethics and Technology, The Netherlands) describes how biotechnology companies, universities, and research institutions have begun to patent genes and considers the frightening ethical, metaphysical, social, and public policy implications. He explains how patents work, gives background on the Human Genome Project, and discusses the nature of identity and the role of genes in creating that identity, the relationship of genes to species and individuals, the nature of property rights over bodies and body parts, intellectual property law, and privacy issues. He proposes alternative paradigms that would still encourage innovation as patents do, but also serve the public good. Annotation ©2009 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
Read Less