[Ip-health] Bioscience Technology- "Need not greed", say Nobel Prize winners

[Terri - Louise Beswick]

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"Need not greed", say Nobel Prize winners

26 Nov 2009

Some of the world's leading names in science and ethics - including two
Nobel Prize winners - have challenged society to rethink attitudes to
the commercialisation of scientific knowledge in a 'Manifesto' published
today.

The renowned group of 50 signatories is led by moral philosopher
Professor John Harris and Nobel Prize winning biologist Professor Sir
John Sulston, both from the Institute for Science, Ethics and Innovation
(iSEI) at The University of Manchester.

Nobel Laureate and Chair of the Brooks World Poverty Institute at The
University of Manchester, Professor Joseph Stiglitz, is also among the
signatories.

The 'Manchester Manifesto' calls for a reassessment of the current
system of patents and intellectual property regulated by national and
international laws.

According to Professors Harris and Sulston, the system is in desperate
need of change because it excludes poorer people from access to
essential medicines and expertise.

They both say profit should not override the needs of the public despite
it being currently the primary reward for research and development.

Professor Sulston received a Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine in
2002 and was a key member of the Human Genome project team.

He chairs iSEI and has been a vocal critic of a biopharmaceutical
company's patenting of two genes closely associated with breast and
ovarian cancer.

The US Government allowed Myriad Genetics to patent tests of the genes,
sparking fury from patients and a campaign by the American Civil
Liberties Union - supported by Professor Sulston.

He said: "It shocks many people when they realise that even our genes
fall under intellectual property law.

"Genes are naturally occurring things, not inventions, and part of
humanity's rich heritage.

"We cannot restrict essential research into diseases such as cancer to
only those who can afford to pay.

"The current method of managing innovation and intellectual property has
an adverse effect on many impoverished people- especially in the
developing world.

"The system is wrong: powerful states have huge influence in the way the
rules are created and tailor them to their own advantage.

"We also ask for a strong commitment from Western Governments to
increase assistance to the developing world to build capacity for their
own scientific research."

Professor Harris, who is the Director of iSEI said: "The Manchester
Manifesto is a first attempt to answer the question 'Who Owns Science?'.

"And from our work, it is clear that the existing model, while serving
some necessary purposes, also impedes achievement of core scientific
goals.

"In many cases access to scientific knowledge and products has been cut
off, stopping the benefits of science in its tracks.

"The system restricts the flow of information and it can hinder
innovation through the costly and complicated nature of the system.

"Limited improvements may be achieved through modification of the
current IP system, but consideration of alternative models is urgently
required.

"iSEI is coordinating a programme of further work including edited
books, education programmes and meetings, details of which are also
available."

Notes for editors

Download the Manchester Manifesto at http://www.isei.manchester.ac.uk/



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