Mr. Speaker, human genes cannot be patented. The fact is that the Patent Act is there to protect innovation, creative ideas that can advance science and in fact lead to cures and treatments for illnesses.
Just this week we received the report of the Canadian biotechnology advisory committee on this and related subjects. There is also a case before the Supreme Court of Canada to clarify the legal implications of all of this.
We will be following that carefully, considering the recommendations of the committee and bringing forward any changes we deem are necessary in the public interest.