Genetic Patents and the Sustainable Development Goals

Jorge L. Contreras (University of Utah), Genetic Patents and the Sustainable Development Goals (The Elgar Companion to Intellectual Property and the Sustainable Development Goals, Ch. 5) (2024):

This chapter addresses the patenting of genetic and genomic sequence data, including that derived from humans, animals, plants and pathogens, as well as tools for editing the genomes of organisms. Such patents implicate a number of the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) including SDG2 (End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture), SDG3 (Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages), SDG9 (Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation) and others. This chapter concludes with recommendations regarding legal and policy measures in the area of genetic patenting that can further promote achievement of the SDGs.