According to the Patent Doc blog, BIO commissioned a survey who's results [surprise, surprise] support its position on gene patents. The survey was conducted by Public Opinion Strategies of 400 "elite" voters - that is voters with a college degree, a household income of >$75,000 and "who closely follow such matters".
The Survey says:
- 89% of respondents believe patents provide the protection, time and funding that researchers need to provide major technological breakthroughs and are thus a "good thing" (with a thanks to Martha Stewart)
- 51% (overwhelming Yes?) had reservations about DNA-based patents but could support them anyway for the good of the biotech's working on disease cures
- The term "gene patents" or "human gene patents" produce a negative response = "bad"
- The terms "genome sequence patents", "DNA-based patents" or "DNA patents" = "good"
So expect BIO to use the latter terms in its subsequent rounds of press releases.
Posted by Bruce Lehr Jan 13th 2011.
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