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Book Cover
E-book
Author Plomer, Aurora

Title Patents, human rights and access to science / Aurora Plomer
Published Cheltenham : Edward Elgar Pub. Ltd., 2015

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Description 1 online resource
Contents 1. Patents, profits and the public -- 2. The moral architecture of human rights and rights of access to science -- 3. The human rights paradox : intellectual property rights and rights of access to science -- 4. From moral ideals to legal obligations : THE Genesis of Article 15 ICESCR -- 5. The UN's official thinking on Article 15 ICESCR -- 6. UNESCO : biotechnology, bioethics & the right to enjoy the benefits of scientific progress -- 7. Conclusion
Summary The new millennium has been described as 'the century of biology', but scientific progress and access to medicines has been marred by global disputes over ownership of the science by universities and private companies. This book examines the challenges posed by the modern patent system to the right of everyone to access the benefits of science in international law. Aurora Plomer retraces the genesis and evolution of the key Articles in the UN system (Article 27 UDHR and Article 15 ICESCR). She combines the historiography of these Articles with a novel perspective on the moral foundations of rights of access to science to draw out implications for today's controversies on patents in the life-sciences. The analysis suggests that access to science as a fundamental right requires both freedom from political and religious interference and the existence of enabling research institutions and educational facilities which promote the flow of knowledge through transparent and open structures. From this perspective, the global patent system is shown to fail spectacularly when it comes to the human rights ideal of universal access to science. The book concludes that a fundamental restructuring of patent institutions is required, in which democratic oversight of patent policies would ensure meaningful realization of the right of everyone to access the benefits of science. Students and scholars of international law, particularly those focusing on intellectual property and human rights, will find this book to be of considerable interest. It will also be of use to practitioners in the field
Notes Includes index
Subject Genes -- Patents
Stem cells -- Patents
Human genetics -- Law and legislation.
Patents (International law)
Right to health.
Patents as Topic -- ethics
LAW -- Intellectual Property -- Patent.
Genes
Human genetics -- Law and legislation
Patents (International law)
Right to health
Stem cells
Genre/Form Patents
Form Electronic book
Author Edward Elgar Publishing.
ISBN 9781783475933
1783475935