Can you imagine patenting most surgeries?

[cali]

<snip>

Perhaps the scariest line in the document proposes extending the patent system to include "diagnostic, therapeutic, and surgical methods for the treatment of humans or animals." Current patent protection law does not apply to the performance of any surgical procedure or method, and for good reason. The TPP language would open up the patent floodgates to include any procedure done with a patented medical device. Basically, one could patent any surgery in the world except for the most basic procedures. Restricting surgical procedures effectively shuts down the advancement of modern medicine and would turn life-saving knowledge into commodities.

<snip>

http://www.policymic.com/articles/73537/trans-pacific-partnership-5-reasons-why-this-matters-to-millennials

<snip>



The patenting of surgical methods

Currently, the World Trade Organization allows countries to exclude from patent consideration “diagnostic, therapeutic and surgical methods for the treatment of humans or animals.” Such a consideration prevents John Hopkins University from patenting open heart surgery, for example, preventing a monopolization of services. The United States is pushing to permit such patenting.

In effect, this supports the medical-device industry; if a manufacturer controls the right to a device and the rights to how to install the device, that manufacturer can license physicians to use their “system,” charge more for the licensing fee, and increase their profit margins exponentially. Medronic, Abbott, Johnson and Johnson, DameTech, North Coast Medical, and Airmed Biotech — all of which serve as “cleared advisers” to the United States Trade Representative — will all directly benefit from this.

<snip>

http://www.mintpressnews.com/us-pushes-to-strengthen-sweeping-copyright-intellectual-property-rights-treaty/172659/

This is for those of you who are are complaining about how no specifics are posted here about why the TPP is so bad.

[arcane1]

1. That's just fucking sick. Pardon my language.

[cali]

3. that it would even be proposed is horrifying, but don't worry

the deniers will be along shortly with their baffling excuses.

[Brickbat]

2. K&R

[cali]

4. kick. unbridled corporatism.

and it's supported by some here.

[ChazII]

5. K&R n/t

[cali]

6. kick

[CrispyQ]

7. They are distilling everything down to it's value on the market.

Got to get the max profit out of everything.

[cali]

8. That's certainly what the TPP does.

[Quantess]

9. That would be terrible.

K & R

[cali]

10. pretty horrifying.

[jazzimov]

11. Here is the leaked section from WikiLeaks:

{JP oppose: (b)diagnostic, therapeutic, and surgical methods for the treatment of humans or animals {US propose; AU/SG/MY/NZ/CL/PE/VN/BN/CA/MX oppose: if they cover a method of using a machine, manufacture, or composition of matter};

So, first of all the proposal is NOT as it is being painted, and secondly it is OPPOSED by almost every other potential signatory. There is no way this make it into the final proposal.

Plus, with fast-tracking off the table, Congress can basically amend it as they wish - IF they decide to pass it.

Let's face it, the TPP is dead. Let's concentrate our energies on something important - like the 2014 Elections.

[cali]

12. The TPP isn't close to dead and experts have explained just how this would practically lead

to most surgeries being patented.

Interesting that you want to bury the TPP issue.

[TransitJohn]

13. How long until we get our monthly bills for breathing, I wonder? eom

n/t

[woo me with science]

14. K&R This is horrifying.

[WinkyDink]

15. "turn life-saving knowledge into commodities": First they came for the seeds,.......

[woo me with science]

16. kick

[jsr]

17. This is a must read.