Question

Write an essay on the following topic “Should companies posess the right to patent genes in crops.” In this discussion please highlight clearly the advantages and disadvantages.

Must include references or citations

Answer 1

A patent system is required to promote the innovation by rewarding the inventors with more rights to use their innovation for a considerable period of time. In this system the patent holders allow others to use their invention by granting a license with a license fee and the royalty colections (Norrgard.K, 2008). The main purpose of the patent is to provide the innovators to produce commercially developed products within a period of time bound. Plant petents and utility are bound for a term of 20 years, so the genetically modified organisms (GMO) of plants are protected for 20 years from the time of product development (Wen Zhou, 2015).

Advantages:
This system gives the companies to lck the genes identified without out world competition. They need not worry on discovering new products that other companies might compete with them. This system serves good for especially smaller companies without any financial support to compete with larger companies.
This system encourages research and development in the company. Provides oppurtunities to invest on the research and development area. Companies can invest on the patented genea as it takes millions of dollars to introduce a new drug to the market and hence most of the companies rely on the investors for their financial support.

Disadvantages:
Since patents gives the inventors IPR (intellectual property rights), most of the invented works on the basis of science are hindered from research and thus making out potential drugs on the patented works are delayed. Due to these activities, monopolization of genes are carried out in the companies leading to foster a secretive culture among the research companies.

Reference:
Norrgard, K. (2008) Diagnostic testing and the ethics of patenting DNA. Nature Education 1(1):84.
Wen Zhou, 2015. Genetically Modified Organisms and Our Food.