Joint Appeal Against Human and Animal Patenting

1660 1. Strat, N.W., Suite 216, Washhgton, D.C. 20036 Tel: 202466-2823 FSX: 20242996M.

May 22, 1995

Most Reverend William B. Friend
Bishop of Shreveport

FAX 3 18-222-2080

Dear Bishop Friend:

  As you know, the Joint Appd Against Human and Anirnal Patenting, of which you
are a signatory, held a press conference on Thursday, May 18th in Washington, D.C More
than 185 religious leaders, from 80 faiths and denominations, announced their oppositivn to
the patenting of genetically engineered animals 'and human genes, cell lines, tissues, organs,
and embryos,

The event was well covered by the press and television networks. Front p3ge storks

have appeared in newspapers across the country, BC, CBS, and CNN al1 covered the issue
on their network evening news .

Although many different views were presented at the press conference, the following

ate among the key pints.

' 1. The participants do not oppose the effort to use genetic. engineering to create new

drugs and cure diseases, They argue, however, that the genetic blueprints of life are the
province of God and cannot be owned as "patented inventions" by any human being or
institution.

  2. The very idea that the genetic blueprints of all of life are hurnan inventions siiiiyly
because scientists discover them is like asserting that chlorine and the other chemical
elements found in nature also should have been patentable by the scientists who first isolated
their proper ties.

(tve + *A

3. By turning life into patented inventions, the governrent drains life of its intrinsic

nature and sacred value. Inventions are merely instrumental and driven by the logic of
engineering values -- including efficiency, utility, profitability and qwtifiability . There is
no place in the world of machines for love, empathy, stewardship, reverence and awe.

4. By redefining God's Creation as "inventions", the government lays the legal and

philosophical foundation for scientists and companies to assume the role of God. Inventions
are made to be upgraded, streamlined and perfcctd -- raising the prospect of potential abusc
and misuse of human and animal genetic traits.

  5. The biotech companies protest that rbeir only interest is to cure diseases, dcvelop
life-saving drugs and create more efficient farm products, and that patents are nedzd to
insure an adequate return on their investment. What they don't mention is that much of the
tnoney that has gone into their research has come not from investors, but from American
taxpayers in the form of goverrirnent subsidies for the basic research,  Now these same
companies wait to benefit a second time by being given an exclusive monopoly to
commercially exploit genethlly engineered animals and hutnm genes and ce!ls as patented
inventions. Patent monopolies will mean that needy patients will be charged exorbibant fees
for many life saving drugs.

6, Some of the religious leaders attending the press conference poifitst out that tlim

are many successfhl. products on the market today, including drugs, mzdicnl procedurcs and
farm products which are not "protected" by patents. A patent is simply tk guarantee of an
exclusive government "monopoly" to an individual at cainpany to inarkt an "invention" for
a given. number of years without having to far coinpetition by other companies.  While the
biotech corripanies might consider it heresy, said on2 of the partici.pants, the fact is that some
things in life are inore important that "monopolizing" profits. Life is more than a
commodity. The blueprints of God's creation should not be handed over to scientists and
corporations just to insure greater profits.

We are sending you, by mail, some newsclips of the press event as well as the

statements from Dr. Richard Land, Executive Director, The Christian Life Commission of
the Southern Brrptist Convention; Bishop Kenneth Carder of The United Mttfiodist Chmh;
Rabbi David Saperstein, Director, Religious Action Center of Reform Judaisin; and
Abdumhman Alamoudi, Executive Director, American Muslim Cowicil, all of whom
attended the press conference.

We'll keep you updated on any future devel.opments.

Sincerely, I

Jaydee &&- Hanson

General Board of Church and Society
The United Methodist Church

My Rifkin

Foundation on Ezonomic Trends