Second shot at gene patent amendment bill

Further to our post on 2 December 2010 updating you on the introduction to the Senate of the Patent Amendment (Human Genes and Biological Materials) Bill 2010 (Senate Bill), a private members bill, the Patent Amendment (Human Genes and Biological Materials) Bill 2010 (Bill), was introduced to the House of Representatives last Monday.  The Bill, which is in substantially the same terms as the Senate Bill, was sponsored by Peter Dutton MP, Robert Oakeshott MP, John Forrest MP and Malcolm Turnbull MP. 
 
The Senate Bill was referred to the Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee for consideration and report by 16 June 2011, with submissions on the Senate Bill due by 25 February 2011.  It seems that there is significant impetus behind this initiative on a number of fronts.
 
As the Bill was introduced by members of the Liberals, the Greens and an independent, it has some prospect of being passed.  However, much is likely to depend on the outcome of the Senate report. 
 
We will keep you updated on the progress of the Bill.