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Forward to the past

EFSA renews GMO Panel with old acquaintances

On 8 June, the European Food Safety Authority EFSA published the names of the new members joining its expert panels for the period up until 2018. One of the panels with new members is the Panel on Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO Panel), which in recent years has been under significant public pressure because several of its members were shown to have links to organisations with close ties to industry, such as the International Life Sciences Institute (ILSI).

Genetically engineered 'man made' mice sold at a discount

Coffee machines, a plush mouse and Apple gift cards as promotional gifts

Thursday, 11 June 2015

Sales promotions for patented and genetically engineered animals are flourishing on the internet. There are promotional discount prices and give-aways. Suppliers promise fast and low-cost delivery of mice and rats manipulated with synthetic DNA. Genetic engineering of the rats and mice can be carried out at any chosen location of the animal’s genome. Prices start from around 15.000 € and the animals, often diseased, can be delivered on demand. All enquires are naturally strictly confidential.

Who is investing in experiments with genetically engineered chimpanzees?

Report on investment links between financial institutions and the pharmaceutical industry

Tuesday, 2 June 2015

Testbiotech is today publishing a report on companies that apply for patents on animals such as mice, dogs and apes, and on financial institutions that invest in them. These patents turn animals into a product that might be commercialised at maximum profit – just like many other patented products. Out of the ten largest global pharmaceutical corporations, Hoffmann La-Roche (and its subsidiary Genentech), Pfizer and Novartis file the highest number of relevant patent applications. According to database research, they have each applied for around 100 to 400 patents that concern animals and its usages. The companies Altor BioScience, Bionomics and Intrexon have also been included in the report because they even hold patents on genetically engineered chimpanzees.

Patent claims on genetically engineered chimpanzees to be withdrawn

After opposition, Bionomics wants to amend its patent

Wednesday, 13 May 2015

Munich

Following a legal opposition against their European patent (EP 1364025), which claims genetically engineered chimpanzees as an „invention“, the Australian company Bionomics has decided to relinquish the controversial claims. The patent will therefore no longer cover genetically modified animals. In July 2013, the European Patent Office (EPO) granted Bionomics the patent covering animals such as pigs, sheep, dogs, cats and even chimpanzees. According to the patent, the animals were to be manipulated with human gene sequences associated with carcinogenesis.