The pharmaceutical industry and non-governmental organisations have voiced strong reservations about a controversial law on the patenting of genes. The government says the new legislation, which is currently under consultation in Switzerland, would help safeguard the country’s booming biotech sector.The proposal forms part of an overall revision of Swiss patent law. It was originally put forward in 2002 but was poorly received by the public.A second consultation period began last month and is due to run until the end of October.The government says the proposed law would protect biotechnology in Switzerland and encourage more investment in research and development.Switzerland has a strong biotechnology sector: since 1998 the country, which is home to 227 biotech companies, has been ranked number six in Europe and number nine in the world.
