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REVIEWS < PROFITS PENDING: How Life Patents __ try has set out to identify genetically. The appear and grow to 10 metres in height; it Represent the Biggest Swindle of the fact that less than 10% of diseases have a was an old man dressed in kingly attire, and 21st Century genetic cause (environment and lifestyle tak- he told Rudi he was protecting him. This by Matthew Albright ing the lion's share) gives reason to ponder was the most influential event in his life, Common Courage Press, USA, 2004 why so much was expended on decoding the Rudi says. No doubt it also helped him get ISBN 1-56751-230-5 (233pp pb) human genome on the promise that one day _ through the rest of the war, including his our lives will be free of disease. injury and convalescence, his time on leave, Availability: Common Courage Press, . Albright correctly points out that this high- _ the deaths and destruction, and his capture http./www-commoncouragepréss.com technology science has a huge political, and imprisonment. However, his practical tents on human enes 8 ti ed oN 1 bureaucratic and legislative structure skills, his audaciousness in being able to Paten's genes, enuire anima surrounding it—yet the people have had obtain (and steal) food, and his ability to get species, plants and seeds, foods as well as . . . . . . . deadly “Passes and has nother 25,000 ot little opportunity to debate the issues in the on with people (especially beautiful young these so-called "life patents" pending. There public arena. His book gives some essential | women!) on his journey helped him survive. “190 PhD empl patents ii A perspective for humanity at the crossroads. When Stiebritz returned home, East are employees working in the Germany was a communist state; so in 1955 Whovejobitis to say what can oreannat be PAWN. OF WAR his desie for freedom won out and he emi- patented. In Profits Pending, ethics writer by Rudi Stiebritz with Jay McKee gr ated trai. A practising Buddhist Matthew Albright questions whether it is Temple House/Sid Harta Publishers, in hie > sod at age oT ne ay as 1663 wise to leave such decisions in the hands of _ Victoria, Australia, 2001 eft hi cralmost Bea) sad con jent at hel the USPO, industry lawyers and biotechnol- _ ISBN 1-877059-05-6 (241 pb) di bled | onl hh in oon Ba * oP ogy scientists. He outlines the biotech Availability: Sid Harta Publishers, tel +61 ‘whil e eee hi w xt © faves In tin mn industry's pro-patent argument but shows (0)3 9560 9920, author@sidharta.com.au the wr he tudiee Sankt ing an where it all falls down with reference to sci- orn in Jena, Germany, in 1923, Rudi urthering fis stuches 1 Sanskrit. entific studies, statistical analyses, and all- Stiebritz was drafted into the army in too-human stories of hope and tragedy. April 1942, just after he'd graduated as an This life patent system, Albright says, sti- engineer. Pawn of War is his memoir of his fles the free sharing of data between scien- time as a soldier fighting on the Russian tists, allows the genetic heritage of entire front from 1942 to 1945, and then as a pris- cultures to be stolen (the Icelandic being one _oner of war in Siberia from 1945 to 1949. example), and creates monopolies over the Stiebritz's story is an engrossing read; and world's food resources. It may seem to be despite all the hardship and hunger, his counterintuitive, but the system actually essential spirit and humanity shine through. stymies research in all fields of biology by Of all the horrendous moments he recounts, locking out researchers who aren't a part of two supernatural events stand out. Three the patent-holding corporation or university. | months into the fighting, he saw a white- The patent system also doesn't help the shining figure leave the body of a dead economy (biotech corps in the main are still | machinegunner and then another figure to deliver on their promises, and some are materialise to lead the bewildered gunner already fighting to retain markets and prof- away, both figures then dematerialising. Eudl Siiebritr with Yor Nie itability), and it is an obstacle to fighting the — Then, in October 1943, just after narrowly very diseases that the "life sciences" indus- escaping death in a trench, he saw a figure try has set out to identify genetically. The fact that less than 10% of diseases have a genetic cause (environment and lifestyle tak- ing the lion's share) gives reason to ponder why so much was expended on decoding the human genome on the promise that one day our lives will be free of disease. Albright correctly points out that this high- technology science has a huge political, bureaucratic and legislative structure surrounding it—yet the people have had little opportunity to debate the issues in the public arena. His book gives some essential perspective for humanity at the crossroads. 68 = NEXUS appear and grow to 10 metres in height; it was an old man dressed in kingly attire, and he told Rudi he was protecting him. This was the most influential event in his life, Rudi says. No doubt it also helped him get through the rest of the war, including his injury and convalescence, his time on leave, the deaths and destruction, and his capture and imprisonment. However, his practical skills, his audaciousness in being able to obtain (and steal) food, and his ability to get on with people (especially beautiful young women!) on his journey helped him survive. When Stiebritz returned home, East Germany was a communist state; so in 1955 his desire for freedom won out and he emi- grated to Australia. A practising Buddhist since 1976, now at age 81 he still has a glint in his one good eye (a car accident in 1963 left him almost blind) and continues to help disabled people where he lives in Brisbane, while writing his next memoir, painting and furthering his studies in Sanskrit. eset —_— t Siiebrits work Law Ph Mew JUNE — JULY 2004 www.nexusmagazi ne.com