Canada's leading biotechnology corporations, patent lawyers and government scientists are meeting in Vancouver to consider how to patent higher life forms including human organs and genetic materials.

The Canadian Biotechnology Advisory Committee (CBAC), a taxpayer funded body that promotes biotech research, is organizing the meeting which is closed to media and the public. Participants will discuss issues like using satellite detectors so corporations can monitor farmers fields, using patented genetically modified laboratory animals to bypass animal cruelty regulations, and determining how NAFTA and WTO members can challenge Canadian laws for non-compliance with WTO regulations. The contentious questions, however, touch on patenting of human materials.

An example cited in a CBAC discussion paper notes "if a (human) lung were genetically engineered to be immune to carbon monoxide it could potentially be patentable." It is also now feasible to create transgenic animals containing one gene from another species. Genes could be introduced into pigs to make their organs more acceptable for human transplants. The potential for biomedical corporate profits is obvious if organs can be patented.

"This is an industry that is getting public money to establish private benefits that will be upheld through free trade agreements," said SPEC president David Cadman. "And the public is being bypassed in the process."

Despite industry arguments that biotechnology will alleviate world hunger, many in developing countries say the new technology helps corporations more than it does the poor. "Biotech is not about world hunger," said Capilano College instructor Nandita Sharma. "The corporations and lawyers meeting in Vancouver are examining ways of manipulating patents and other laws so they can make big profits. This is about money, not helping the poor."

Canada's biotech industry consists of about 350 companies employing just over 9,000 people and generating $1.9 billion in sales. In 1998, Ottawa gave the industry $314 million for biotechnology research. The BCAC meeting is scheduled for 8:15 a.m. on Wed., May 02, 2001, at the Wall Centre Hotel at 1088 Burrard St., Vancouver.

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Information:
Ivan Bulic (604) 736-7732, (604) 318-0001

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