Index >> Biotechnology in Agriculture >> Patents

In the U.S.A, genetically engineered microorganisms (GEOs) are being patented beginning with the classical oil eating microbe developed by the India born Anand Chakravarthy of the General Electric Company and the same is true of transgenic plants, many of which are still undergoing tests. India is beginning to wake up to the situation following the alleged piracy of haldi (Curcuma longa) and basmati name for new rice varieties developed by the U.S.A. companies. The necessity to extend our patent laws to biotechnological innovations is urgent since India is a signatory to the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) and the World Trade Organisation (WTO).

Presently, microorganisms and those created artificially are patentable in several countries such as India, Austria, Brazil, Bulgaria, Denmark, Canada, Ger­many, Hungary, Israel, The Netherlands, Philippines, Spain, Sweden, Swit­zerland, Thailand and U.K. However, the discovery should be associated with an industrial, medical or farm application for it to be patented. In other words, the criteria of novelty, inventiveness and originality will nave to be satisfied for grant of a patent.