Human Embryonic Stem Cell Patents: Friend or Foe for Moral Barriers?

Abstract

Human embryonic stem cells (hESC) are pluripotent cells with recognised capabilities in regenerative medicine and a considerable interest in research and biotechnology. However, due to their close relation to bioethical and moral principles, there have been a considerable discussion about the possibility of patenting or not these hESC. Here, we report the European Patent Law and the tradition in the Continental legal system to recognise human dignity as its fundamental principle and their relation with the protection of biotechnological inventions, focused in the recent case Brüstle v. Greenpeace e.V.