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Human
Genome News Archive Edition |
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Sponsored
by the U.S. Department of
Energy Human Genome Program
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The Human Genome Organisation (HUGO) has released a 15-page statement about the patenting of DNA sequences. The statement summary reads in part, "HUGO is worried that the patenting of partial and uncharacterized cDNA sequences will reward those who make routine discoveries but penalize those who determine biological function or application. Such an outcome would impede the development of diagnostics and therapeutics, which is clearly not in the public interest. HUGO is also dedicated to the early release of genome information, thus accelerating widespread investigation of functional aspects of genes. This statement explains our concerns."
The statement was prepared by HUGO President C. Thomas Caskey (Merck Research Laboratories), Rebecca Eisenberg (University of Michigan Law School), Eric Lander (Whitehead Institute), and Joseph Straus (Max Planck Institute) and approved by the HUGO Council. It appears in HUGO Europe Genome Digest [2(2), 6-9 (April 1995)] and is available in hard copy by e-mail request from the HUGO Americas office.
The HUGO Council has elected Grant R. Sutherland (Adelaide Women and Children's Hospital, Australia) as the fourth president of HUGO. His 3-year term will begin January 1, 1996. As president-elect in 1995, Sutherland is working closely with the current president. Gert-Jan van Ommen (University of Leiden, Netherlands) has succeeded Kay Davies (John Radcliffe Hospital, U.K.) as HUGO Vice-President for Europe, effective January 1 of this year.
Policies were initiated last year to make HUGO more representative by extending membership to all persons concerned with human genome research and related scientific subjects. Since then, the number of members has risen steadily to over 600 people in almost 40 countries. Membership now requires a standard application form, supporting signatures of two current HUGO members, a one-page curriculum vitae, and a list of five key publications.
Short-term (2- to 10-week) travel awards up to $1500 are available for investigators under age 40 to visit another country to learn new methods or techniques. Applications must be submitted at least 6 weeks before a proposed visit.
Application requirements
For more information on HUGO travel awards or membership, contact one of the regional offices listed below.
7986-D Old Georgetown Rd.
Bethesda, MD 20814
301/654-1477
Fax: /652-3368
hugo@gdb.org
HUGO EUROPE
One Park Square West
London NW1 4LJ, U.K.
+44-171/935-8085
Fax: -8341
HUGO PACIFIC
Human Genome Center
Institute of Medical Science
University of Tokyo
4-6-1 Shirokanedai, Minato-ku Tokyo 108, Japan
+81-3/5449-5622, Fax: -5445
sakaki@hgc.ims.u-tokyo.ac.jp
The electronic form of the newsletter may be cited in the following style:
Human Genome Program, U.S. Department of Energy, Human Genome News (v6n6).
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Last modified: Wednesday, October 29, 2003
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