University of Wisconsin scientist and stem cell researcher, James Thomson received three contested patents related to a method of "isolating embryonic stem cells of humans and primates." These history-making patents are considered the primary intellectual property rights to embryonic stem cell research within the United States. James Thomson directed a group of scientists, the first to isolate and culture human embryonic stem cells.Both The Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights and the Public Patent Foundation petitioned the USPTO to reject the patents based on prior art (previous animal research) and based on the likelihood that the patents would slow cell research within the U.S. and drive investment in cell stem research elsewhere.
In response, the patent assignee, the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation, which holds all three of the patents, decided to waive some of its licensing fees to encourage research and allowed researchers to receive their cells for free.
The USPTO recently decided to uphold the patents. Photo Credit/Getty Images News: colony of embryonic stem cells
Where Can Stem Cell Research Take Us?
In an MSNBC interview, when asked how he saw stem cell research developing in the next 10 to 20 years, James Thomson replied, "I’m optimistic that there will be transplantation-based therapies." Thomson also predicts that within 30 years clinical trials involving stem cells will exist for diseases such as diabetes. However, Thomson stresses the future of basic science as having better access to the human body as an important legacy of stem cell research, leading to better research tools available for scientists.