Advances in modern biotechnology have produced profound and far-reaching
implications for the relationship between humans, animals and the environment.
As a result, a debate has arisen surrounding the legal, moral and social
problems connected with this technology. A central part of this debate focuses
on the role of moral considerations in the patent system as a form of
regulation. This book examines this role and asks why in the context of
biotechnological inventions morality has become an important issue. The origin,
policy and legislative history of patent law in both the United States and
member countries of the European Union is examined, with particular reference to
the provisions