A human egg that has been
parthenogenetically activated but not fertilised can be patented
for commercial and industrial use, the court of justice of the
European Union ruled on Thursday.
The ruling came after the judges established that in order
to be classified as a 'human embryo', a non-fertilised human egg
must necessarily have the inherent capacity of developing into a
human being.
Consequently, the mere fact that a
parthenogenetically-activated human egg commences a process of
development is not sufficient for it to be regarded as a 'human
embryo', the court ruled.
Therefore, uses of such an organism for industrial or
commercial purposes can be patented, the judges said.
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