The world’s first patent for a genetically modified creature

United States – April 12, 1988 witnessed a historic event when the US Patent and Trademark Office issued the world’s first patent for a genetically modified organism.

The first living organism in the world was born in “test tubes”, a mouse that was treated using genetic engineering in Harvard University laboratories by Drs. Philip Leder and Timothy Stewart.

Research at that time was underway to discover new ways to fight cancer in particular. This disease is the most common cause of death in developed countries. Mice in this area have provided invaluable services to humanity.

The two American scientists genetically modified the mouse to make it susceptible to cancer, hoping that this would help uncover the secrets of this deadly disease.

Known cancer genes were injected into mouse embryos immediately following fertilization. The genetic modification not only made these mice susceptible to cancer, but also ensured that they would pass cancer genes to their offspring.

Approval of that patent was taken by scientists and other representatives of the biotechnology industry. On that occasion it was pointed out that more investments would now begin to flow into this field, and that biological research in the fields of medicine, organ transplantation and other fields related to living organisms would become more effective.

In contrast, there have been criticisms of the possibility of patenting mammals. Controversy over this thorny issue, with its scientific, religious and other aspects, has continued for a long time.

The European Commission issued a directive to patent authorities in 1999 providing for the possibility of patenting man-made plants and mammals. At the same time, the issuance of a patent was prohibited on “what relates to the human body at all stages of development, including genes.”

Some may be surprised to learn that for decades, humanity has credited mice with the progress made in fighting tumors and treating cardiovascular diseases, polio, diabetes, arthritis, Parkinson’s disease, drug addiction, and even psychiatric disorders, including depression.

Mice do not benefit humanity only by sacrificing them in the search for cures for serious diseases. Some mice have been modified to easily find explosives, and others are devoid of the fear gene, and they do not hesitate to approach cats to play with them. In addition, mice are runners that travel long distances without getting tired. And half the usual food requirements!

As for the so-called “model mice,” they are a special strain used for advanced study in the field of a specific human disease or condition. Mice share more than 95% of their DNA with humans, which means that many diseases, including Alzheimer’s, diabetes, obesity, heart disease, and cancer, affect humans and mice in similar ways, allowing scientists to study these diseases and find ways to treat them.

Therefore, it was not surprising that the mouse was the first mammal to obtain a patent. Moreover, this was not the first time a life form had been patented.

Earlier in the early 1970s, Ananda Mohan Chakrabarti, a genetic engineer at General Electric, had developed a new species of bacteria capable of breaking down crude oil; It was suggested that they be used to eliminate the complications of oil spills.

Thus, the kindness of mice to humans has become great, and it continues and increases with time. This recognition found its manifestation in Russia on July 1, 2013, with the opening of a memorial dedicated to mice sacrificed in genetic research. The monument representing a mouse busy knitting a genetic sequence was erected in the park of the Institute of Cytology and Genetics in the city of Novosibirsk.

Source: RT