Word: patenting
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Dates: during 1990-1999
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...prevent this, Newman has applied for a patent on a process to create human/animal genetically mixed creatures (chimeras) in order to prevent anyone else from pursuing such research. He also hopes to provoke a debate on the sanctity of life and where society should draw the line on genetic research...
...Several nights ago on ABC Evening News, an in-depth "Closer Look" segment was devoted to Newman's patent. The report was largely one-sided (more 1984 than 1998), featuring the fears and rants of ethicist and frequent scientific critic Jeremy Rifkin, who charged that society threatens to "play God" by creating human chimerical animals...
...regulating the result of a scientific inquiry and containing the inquiry itself. When society is concerned about a particular scientific outcome, it has a choice between preventing any research on the subject or only trying to control undesirable outcomes. Newman's position reflects the former approach. By seeking a patent that he will never use or license, New-man threatens to discourage any scientific investigation involving human/animal chimerical organisms...
...regulating the production of chimeras as closer study may demand and not abandoning this avenue of scientific pursuit as the spirit of Newman's patent advises, we raise the very distinct possibility of developing a more universally acceptable (and beneficial) middle ground...
...Patent Office has the next move, making the difficult decision of where a line might be drawn on "commercial" life forms. But the debate should have begun elsewhere...