European patents step closer Autor corporativo GRAIN Título de serie Seedling | Vol. 14(3); 2 - 5; 4 p. Fecha 1997 Fuente IUCN (ID: ANA-061680) Editor | Lugar de publicación GRAIN - Genetic Resources Action International | Barcelona, Spain Idioma Inglés País/Territorio Unión Europea Materia Especies silvestres y ecosistemas Palabra clave Biotecnología Derechos de propiedad intelectual/patentes Ética y medio ambiente Resumen Challenging the global trend to strengthen intellectual property rights regimes remains a high priority for those campaigning against the privatisation of life. The EU is currently defining its own reinterpretation of the WTO TRIPs agreement with proposed legislation dubbed, 'The Life Patents Directive'. The proposals which go way beyond the minimum requirements under TRIPS would allow patenting of plants, animals and parts of humans. Here GRAIN assesses recent developments in Europe and looks at the international implications.