General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsCan you imagine patenting most surgeries?
<snip>
Perhaps the scariest line in the document proposes extending the patent system to include "diagnostic, therapeutic, and surgical methods for the treatment of humans or animals." Current patent protection law does not apply to the performance of any surgical procedure or method, and for good reason. The TPP language would open up the patent floodgates to include any procedure done with a patented medical device. Basically, one could patent any surgery in the world except for the most basic procedures. Restricting surgical procedures effectively shuts down the advancement of modern medicine and would turn life-saving knowledge into commodities.
<snip>
http://www.policymic.com/articles/73537/trans-pacific-partnership-5-reasons-why-this-matters-to-millennials
<snip>
The patenting of surgical methods
Currently, the World Trade Organization allows countries to exclude from patent consideration diagnostic, therapeutic and surgical methods for the treatment of humans or animals. Such a consideration prevents John Hopkins University from patenting open heart surgery, for example, preventing a monopolization of services. The United States is pushing to permit such patenting.
In effect, this supports the medical-device industry; if a manufacturer controls the right to a device and the rights to how to install the device, that manufacturer can license physicians to use their system, charge more for the licensing fee, and increase their profit margins exponentially. Medronic, Abbott, Johnson and Johnson, DameTech, North Coast Medical, and Airmed Biotech all of which serve as cleared advisers to the United States Trade Representative will all directly benefit from this.
<snip>
http://www.mintpressnews.com/us-pushes-to-strengthen-sweeping-copyright-intellectual-property-rights-treaty/172659/
This is for those of you who are are complaining about how no specifics are posted here about why the TPP is so bad.
arcane1
(38,613 posts)cali
(114,904 posts)the deniers will be along shortly with their baffling excuses.
cali
(114,904 posts)and it's supported by some here.
CrispyQ
(36,461 posts)Got to get the max profit out of everything.
cali
(114,904 posts)Quantess
(27,630 posts)K & R
cali
(114,904 posts)jazzimov
(1,456 posts){JP oppose: (b)diagnostic, therapeutic, and surgical methods for the treatment of humans or animals {US propose; AU/SG/MY/NZ/CL/PE/VN/BN/CA/MX oppose: if they cover a method of using a machine, manufacture, or composition of matter};
So, first of all the proposal is NOT as it is being painted, and secondly it is OPPOSED by almost every other potential signatory. There is no way this make it into the final proposal.
Plus, with fast-tracking off the table, Congress can basically amend it as they wish - IF they decide to pass it.
Let's face it, the TPP is dead. Let's concentrate our energies on something important - like the 2014 Elections.
cali
(114,904 posts)to most surgeries being patented.
Interesting that you want to bury the TPP issue.
TransitJohn
(6,932 posts)n/t