The Patentability of the Native Hawaiian Genome
In 2003, the University of Hawaii proposed patenting the Native Hawaiian genome with the purpose of generating both economic- and healthrelated benefits for the Native Hawaiian people. This proposal, however, was strongly opposed by the Native Hawaiian community, which viewed it as an unwelcome impo...
| Published in: | American Journal of Law & Medicine |
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| Main Author: | |
| Format: | Article in Journal/Newspaper |
| Language: | English |
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Cambridge University Press (CUP)
2007
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| Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/009885880703300104 http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/009885880703300104 https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/S0098858800003075 |
| Summary: | In 2003, the University of Hawaii proposed patenting the Native Hawaiian genome with the purpose of generating both economic- and healthrelated benefits for the Native Hawaiian people. This proposal, however, was strongly opposed by the Native Hawaiian community, which viewed it as an unwelcome imposition of Western property concepts upon their traditional ideology. Population-based genetic databases are not an entirely new concept. The governments of Iceland and Estonia have created national genetic databases and assumed authority over their ownership and operation. Iceland has even licensed its genome to a private company. Furthermore, the United States has previously been involved in patenting the genetic code of other indigenous groups, such as the Hagahai tribe in Papua New Guinea and the native inhabitants of the Solomon Islands. A patent on the Native Hawaiian genome, however, would be unique because it would concern the rights of American citizens. |
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