OECD approves guidelines on genetic inventions

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has approved practical guidelines on licensing genetic healthcare inventions in an attempt to speed up research and assistance to patients.

These principles and best practice suggestions advise businesses, researchers and health services entering into license agreements for genetic inventions to be liberal with use conditions and the release of confidential data.

The OECD said the guidelines "respond to concerns..that patenting of genetic inventions and restrictive licensing of their use is reducing access to the benefits of the technology and discouraging new research." Recent genetic inventions include diagnostic tests for some cancers, cystic fibrosis and Huntington's Disease, noted the think-tank.