Intellectual Property and The Human Biological Material: Navigating Legal Ownership and Rights
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.69980/ajpr.v28i5.325Keywords:
Property Rights, Body Ownership, IP Rights, Ethical Issues, Constitution of IndiaAbstract
The intersection of intellectual property (IP) and the human body presents a dynamic and evolving landscape, raising profound legal, ethical, and societal questions. This article explores the complexities of ownership, acquisition, and control over human body parts and genetic material, offering a multidisciplinary perspective that blends legal theory with real-world implications.
It begins by examining traditional concepts of property and how these frameworks apply when the subject matter is the human body. As biotechnological advances redefine what is possible, particularly in genetics, questions of who can own or control biological materials have become increasingly interesting. Genetic ownership is particularly contentious, with significant implications for research, innovation, and individual rights. The article further analyzes the notion of bodily ownership through jurisprudential, constitutional, and cultural lenses. Legal frameworks such as the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and constitutional protections like Article 21 are discussed about bodily autonomy and integrity. The inquiry then extends to whether genetic material should be considered a body part, drawing on global conventions and scholarly debate.
Attention is also given to the commoditization of human body parts, ranging from organ trafficking and commercialized healthcare practices to cutting-edge technologies such as regenerative medicine and cyborg integration. The role of intellectual property rights in this context, particularly patents on human biological materials, is examined through landmark legal cases and pharmaceutical industry practices. Concluding with both national and international perspectives, the article offers recommendations for navigating this ethically sensitive and legally intricate terrain in an era of rapid scientific advancement.
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