Student Abstracts: Science Policy at HQ

Patents and Genomes To Life: A Compounding Issue. JACQUELINE COHEN (Brown University, Providence, RI 02912) DR. DANIEL DRELL (DOE Headquarters, Washington, DC 20585) .
Intellectual Property emerged as a major issue in the Human Genome Project, originally surprising program managers and researchers. This buttressed the argument that the ethical, legal, and social implications that accompany new initiatives should be explored. The Genomes To Life Initiative builds on the results of the Human and Microbial Genome Projects by characterizing the proteins coded for, the interactions of those proteins to form molecular machines and then gene regulatory networks, and the interactions of microbes acting in combination. The goal is to use this information to advance DOE missions and create computer models of living systems. With the benefit of the experience of the HGP, the research agenda for ethical, legal and social implication of the DOE's next big genetic initiative will include a significant portion of research into patent issues. Looking at the Intellectual Property potential of this initiative suggests the possibility of patent stacking; each of the initiative's steps involve elements that are currently patentable. By the time a model is assembled, more than a dozen layers of patents, with each patent possibly held by different owners, may cover each element going into the model. Unless measures are taken by the government, researchers, or industry, patents could pile on top of each other and become obstacles to further research and even completion of the initiative.

DNA Dilemma: A Perspective on Current USPTO Philosophy Concerning Life Patents. KALE FRANZ (Colorado School of Mines, Golden, CO 80401) PETER FALETRA (DOE Headquarters, Washington, DC 20585) .
The lack of a solid set of criteria for determining patentability of subject matter particularly subject matter dealing with life has recently been of increasing public concern in the U.S. and world wide. Alarm for patent practices related to life systems ranges from patents being granted on biochemical processes and the knowledge of these processes to the patenting of entire organisms. One of the most volatile concerns raised regards the patenting of human genes or parts of genes since this genetic material is the basic informational molecule of all life. Current patent law, legislated in 1952, has been interpreted by the U.S. Supreme Court to allow broad patents of DNA, biochemical processes, and what are generally considered "inventions" of life systems. Several issues are addressed in this paper regarding the unsound reasoning underlying both the interpretation and execution of patent law. Lapses in logic provide a gateway for patent-hungry businesses and individuals to take patenting to an illogical and unworkable extreme. Patent chaos of this magnitude is unnecessary and has great potential for harming the mission that the patent office was designed to serve. Recently disclosed patent-granting guidelines suggest the United States Patent and Trademark Office is not upholding its Constitutional responsibility of promoting the progress of science.

Carbon Sequestration: Geologic and Oceanic Carbon Sinks. STEPHEN LEMARBRE (Trinity College, Hartford, CT 06106) ROBIN ABRUZERE (DOE Headquarters, Washington, DC 20585) .
Anthropogenic carbon dioxide escaping into Earth's atmosphere is a central concern of today's environmentalists, scientists, and political leaders. Because fossil fuels will continue to be used in power plants for decades to come, the mitigation of this problem needs to work hand-in-hand with the use of fossil fuels. Carbon sequestration allows for the capture and secure storage of CO2, while allowing the continued mass use of fossil energy. The injection and sequestration of CO2 into deep, unmineable coal seams, or into the ocean are two methods being developed to control this problem. Currently, the full technology needed for sequestration is not available, and many are concerned over the possible environmental impacts. However, as more research is performed and more experiments are completed, carbon sequestration will achieve the potential to rise to the forefront of the challenges posed by increasing CO2 in the atmosphere.