Law for biotechnological inventions

The Comisión de Ciencia y Tecnología of the Spanish Parliament is debating a Draft Law which would modify the Law 11/1986 of March 20, for Patents, to incorporate to Spanish Law the Directive 98/44/EC, of the European Parliament and Committee, of July 6, relating to legal protection for biotechnological inventions.

According to the Draft Law, biotechnological intentions, in spite of referring to living organisms, can be patented. Four supposed prohibitions are contemplated: the procedure for human cloning, the modification of germinal genetic identity in humans, the use of human embryos for industrial or commercial ends and the procedures of modifying the genetic identity of animals that represents suffering for these without substantial medical use for man or animal, and the resulting animals of such procedures.

More information:
- Proyecto de Ley 121/000025, PDF (Congreso de los Diputados)
- Ampliación del plazo de enmiendas, PDF (Congreso de los Diputados)
- Ley 11/1986, de 20 de marzo, de Patentes (OEPM)
- Directiva 98/44/CE del Parlamento Europeo y del Consejo (EUR-Lex)
- Comisión de Ciencia y Tecnología del Congreso de los Diputados
- Campaña "No a las patentes sobre seres vivos" (Ecologistas en Acción)

Date of publication: 10/02/2001

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