California stem cell researchers are breathing a sigh of relief. The foundation that holds the patents to all embryonic stem cell lines says scientists will no longer need to pay a licensing fee to conduct research. KPBS reporter Kenny Goldberg has more.
The Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation claims broad patent rights to embryonic stem cells. Up until now, scientists couldn’t work with these cells without negotiating a license.
Dr. Jeanne Loring co-directs the stem cell center at La Jolla’s Burnham Institute. She says the policy change lifts another restriction, too.
Jeanne Loring: It means that I can provide my colleagues with embryonic stem cells, which means I can work directly with them as a collaborator, outside my institution, which is a real godsend in this field.
Still, Loring isn’t satisfied. She argues the foundation’s patent claims are overly broad and are based on prior discoveries. Loring and a consumer group have asked the federal government to reexamine the patents.
Kenny Goldberg, KPBS News.
