Germany approves gene patenting directive

The German government has approved a European Union (EU) directive on the legal protection of biotechnological inventions, a move seen as a significant step in the adoption of the directive across Europe. But a controversial clause concerning the patenting of human genes has lead many scientists and MPs to oppose the directive, reports last week's Nature.

The clause states that patents can be granted on 'an element isolated from the human body or otherwise produced by means of a technical process' and says that such elements can include 'the sequence or partial sequence of a gene'. Many scientists are concerned that gene patents will be too broad, restricting research and preventing the development of new drugs and therapies. But representatives of the biotechnology industry in Germany have welcomed their government's decision.

Member states yet to incorporate the ruling into their own legislation include France, Denmark, the Republic of Ireland, Finland and the UK.