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The Patentability of the Native Hawaiian Genome

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 January 2021

Lindsey Singeo
Lindsey Singeo*
Affiliation:
Boston University School of Law, Chemistry, Washington University in St. Louis
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Extract

In 2003, the University of Hawaii proposed patenting the Native Hawaiian genome with the purpose of generating both economic- and healthrelated benefits for the Native Hawaiian people. This proposal, however, was strongly opposed by the Native Hawaiian community, which viewed it as an unwelcome imposition of Western property concepts upon their traditional ideology. Population-based genetic databases are not an entirely new concept. The governments of Iceland and Estonia have created national genetic databases and assumed authority over their ownership and operation. Iceland has even licensed its genome to a private company. Furthermore, the United States has previously been involved in patenting the genetic code of other indigenous groups, such as the Hagahai tribe in Papua New Guinea and the native inhabitants of the Solomon Islands. A patent on the Native Hawaiian genome, however, would be unique because it would concern the rights of American citizens.

Type
Article
Information
American Journal of Law & Medicine , Volume 33 , Issue 1 , March 2007 , pp. 119 - 139
Copyright
Copyright © American Society of Law, Medicine and Ethics and Boston University 2007

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