The Department of Legal Studies and the Center for Ethics and Law in Biomedicine
cordially invite you to a public lecture delivered by
Bratislav Stankovic
on Patenting Life: Politics of Innovation
Introduction: Judit Sándor, Department of Legal Studies, CELAB
Discussant: Marton Varju, CELAB, University of Hull
The recent advances in genetic engineering, gene therapy, potential for cloning animals and humans, and the isolation and manipulation of human embryonic stem cells, easily capture the imagination. These rapid developments in biotechnology have affected and significantly challenged many areas of law, in particular patent law. While research with and patentability of genes, transgenic organisms, and stem cells makes for headline news, it is also at the center of a myriad of ethical, religious, metaphysical, and political debates. Because the moral and legal justifications are not identical, it is possible for a legal decision to be immoral although consistent with legal precedent and procedure. Contributing to that debate and enriching the conversation, this talk addresses some of the issues surrounding patentability of inventions related to DNA, genes, stem cells, transgenic organisms and, in general to living matter.
Dr. Stankovic strives to foster improved understanding of the issues at the intersection of law, science and ethics through a variety of means, including traditional publications and presentations, as well as providing input to government and international organizations. He has made particular contributions in the areas of international intellectual property, patent and policy issues involving biotechnology or health, as well as plant molecular and space biology. He is a registered US patent attorney, teaches Patent Law at Loyola University in Chicago, and serves as a Science and Technology Advisor to the President of Macedonia. He is also a faculty member of the joint LL.M. Programme in Intellectual Property Law, Ss. Cyril and Methodius University & University of Strasbourg.