eni-summary list Ecumenical News International News Highlights 11 December 2002

Canadian churches hail patent ruling on genetically modified mouse

Vancouver (ENI). The Supreme Court of Canada in a landmark judgement has ruled against allowing Harvard University a patent on a mouse that has been genetically modified for medical research. The ruling, which ends a 17-year legal battle, is a victory for churches that had argued that patenting the mouse would mean turning living beings into intellectual property. [344 words, ENI-02-0449]

Plans to liberalise drug laws in Hungary draw criticism from churches

Warsaw (ENI). Church leaders in Hungary have condemned government plans to scrap penalties for the possession of small amounts of cannabis and other “soft” drugs. “This is the latest step in an appalling attempt to liberalise public life which is gradually destroying the Hungarian people,” said Bishop Lorant Hegedus of the Hungarian Reformed Church, reacting to a bill introduced by the Socialist government of premier Peter Medgyessy. [266 words, ENI-02-0450]

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