Genetically engineered animals patentability

Patentable subject matter in many countries (especially for health-related and biotechnology inventions) is often significantly restricted compared to practices in the United States. Some countries do not allow plants or animals to be patented. The United States, Japan, and the European Patent Office currently allow genetically engineered animals to be protected by patent (55). Many countries do not allow pharmaceuticals or methods of medical treatment to be patented. Each country will, of course, have its own specific limitations and exceptions for patentable subject matter (56). It is not possible in the present chapter to provide an even limited discussion of such patent-able subject matter. Moreover,any details provided could very well be out of date in a relatively short time. However, a few examples for selected countries (57) are helpful to illustrate the variations in patentable subject matter ... 

Companies involved in the research and development of plant and animals derived from genetic engineering patent these new products and processes. The patent allows them to protect their investment however, it costs farmers who use the seed. A contract between the farmers and these companies prohibits the farmers from saving seed for use the following year, reselling seed to a third party, or exchanging seed with other farmers. 

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