Mistaken patent for clones

BERLIN, FEB. 22. The European Patent Office has admitted it made a mistake in recently granting a patent to a process that could include the cloning of humans. The Munich-based office granted Edinburgh University a patent on altering cells and human embryos in December, but the decision only came to public attention after the environmental group Greenpeace issued a critical statement yesterday.

``It's a mistake, yes,'' said the Patent Office spokesperson, Mr. Rainer Osterwadter, yesterday. ``It could be seen to embrace the cloning of humans. What's missing is the disclaimer that it does not refer to humans.''

Mr. Osterwadter said his office could not immediately reverse the decision, but would have to wait for outside parties to file their opposition to the patent. He said it could ultimately take years before the review process comes to an end.

- Reuters

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Section  : International
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