In 2013, the US Supreme Court declared isolated gene sequences as ‘products of nature’ and hence, unpatentable subject matter. Paradoxically, the European Patent Office (EPO), relying on the EU Biotech Directive 98/44/EC, does not perceive a problem with patents on isolated human genetic sequences. However, the EPO excludes human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) from being patentable subject matter on the grounds of morality and ordre public. The controversy arises from an understanding that gene patents create a de facto tragedy of the anti-commons. This, in turn, is based on a wider belief that the current statutory regime governing the patent protection of human genetic materials creates expansive property rights, without a proper consideration of the public interest. This thesis tests this proposition by examining and revealing the contextual genesis of these bifurcated reactions by the United States and European jurists. First, it reframes the historical evolution of patented inventions within the biotechnology sector. By adopting the concept of patents as a social contract between the inventor and society, the research reasserts the fundamental aspects of patent law. Second, the subsequent chapters employ this primary premise in order to map out the theoretical arguments for propertizing genetic materials. Finally, the thesis investigates the possibility of policy guidelines by gathering an empirical dataset through questionnaires and interviews directed at key stakeholders. This work maintains that the current statutory regimes in Europe and the US governing the patent protection of human genetic materials can create acceptable property rights. But this is only possible if the regime adopts a purpose-bound approach for human genetic materials. Such an enhanced status quo approach, as adopted in some European jurisdictions, would entail the consideration of public interest values, as articulated through the empirical research, and which has been set out as a draft manifesto.

Orientador: Ana Rita Morales / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Engenharia Química / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-20T21:17:33Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Pinheiro_IvaneiFerreira_M.pdf: 6507466 bytes, checksum: 544ce949996ee364af7bcc47e112b2ec (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012 / Resumo: Neste trabalho estudou-se biocompósitos poliméricos obtidos a partir de um poliéster biodegradável e fibra natural de Munguba (Pseudobombax munguba) nativa da região amazônica. Trata-se de uma fibra de grande abundância encontrada nas regiões alagadiças da floresta, para a qual não existem relatos na literatura de sua utilização em biocompósitos poliméricos. Estudou-se a influência do tamanho da fibra, da concentração, e de tratamentos químicos na superfície da fibra, sobre as propriedades finais dos biocompósitos. As fibras naturais foram moídas e classificadas por tamanho e submetidas a tratamentos químicos. A fim de avaliar as modificações promovidas pelos tratamentos empregados, as propriedades mecânicas, morfologia e propriedades de superfície foram analisadas. A análise por Espectroscopia no Infravermelho (FTIR) mostrou o aparecimento de grupos ésteres confirmando a troca de hidroxila por acetila. Os ensaios mecânicos de tração mostraram que a modificação química proporcionou aumento de 75% no módulo elástico da fibra. Pelas análises de morfologia e de ângulo de contato, foram verificadas alterações superficiais significativas da fibra de munguba, enquanto que a análise termogravimétrica (TGA) mostrou que a modificação química aumentou a estabilidade térmica em comparação com a fibra natural. Os biocompósitos foram preparados por mistura em alto cisalhamento no estado fundido, utilizando fibras naturais e quimicamente tratadas com teores de 10 e 20% variando-se o tamanho das fibras. Os resultados indicaram que o aumento na concentração de fibra foi a principal responsável pelas mudanças nas propriedades mecânicas. As análises morfológicas mostraram que os tratamentos químicos não foram eficazes em promover boa interação fibra-matriz. Modelos mecânicos foram usados para prever o módulo de elasticidade dos biocompósitos sendo que o modelo de Russell descreveu com boa adequação os sistemas estudados. Através da calorimetria exploratória diferencial (DSC) verificou-se que a adição de fibras provocou alterações na cristalinidade, diminuição na temperatura de fusão e aumento na temperatura de cristalização na matriz / Abstract: In this work it was studied polymer biocomposites made from a biodegradable polyester and natural fiber Munguba (Pseudobombax Munguba) native to the Amazon region, found in great abundance marshy areas of the forest, for which there are no literature reports of its use in polymer biocomposites. The effects of fiber size, concentration and chemical treatment on the fiber surface on the final properties of the biocomposites were studied. The natural fibers have been milled and classified by size and subjected to chemical treatment. In order to evaluate the changes promoted by employed treatment, the mechanical properties, surface properties and morphology were evaluated. Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis showed the appearance of ester groups to hydroxyl confirming the exchange by acetyl. By the tensile strength tests showed that the chemical modification time increased by 75% the elastic modulus of the fiber. The analysis of the morphology and the contact angle, significant surface changes were observed in the Munguba fiber, whereas the thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) showed that the chemical modification increased the thermal stability in comparison to the natural fiber. The biocomposites were prepared by high shear mixing in the molten state using natural, and chemically treated fibers with levels of 10 and 20% varying the size of the fibers. The results indicated that increasing the concentration of fiber was mainly responsible for the changes in mechanical properties. The morphological analysis showed that the chemical treatments were not effective in promoting good fiber-matrix interaction. Mechanical models were used to predict the elastic modulus of the biocomposites and the model of Russell presented a good fit to the studied systems. By differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) showed that the addition of fibers caused changes in crystallinity decrease in melting temperature and crystallization temperature increase in the matrix / Mestrado / Ciencia e Tecnologia de Materiais / Mestre em Engenharia Química

This study was carried out at the Department of Nanotechnology and Functional Materials,Uppsala University, one of several places where the interest of lignin in cosmetics is constantly growing. The functionalities of lignin have been studied to a great extent revealing its potential as a natural biopolymer to serve as a replacement for environmentally hazardous components in cosmetic formulations, namely UV-filters in sunscreens. Using ethnographic methods and qualitative interviews the lignin-cosmetic industry was observed and analyzed in order to discern how concerned the industry is with ecological andaesthetic value. Ecological value is a hallmark of the value proposition in the cosmetic industry, and leaders of the industry indeed share this view. The analysis further revealed that the actors of the lignin-cosmetic industry are at different stages of development and that as of this year we can expect the first product to be launched. Furthermore, the value chain of the lignin actors was identified and for the first time mapped out in detail from the qualitative analysis that was carried out targeting lignin actors within the lignin-cosmetic industry. Mapping the value chain revealed the actors included in the entire chain identified as biorefinery, manufacturer, modifier, formulator, distributor and retailer which together compose the lignin-cosmetic value chain. A qualitative, semi structured interview approach was used and adapted as we met with eleven actors interviewing them about ecological and aesthetic values in the lignin based product value proposition. The grounded theory was applied to analyze the data, generating eight categories representing the concepts comprising ecological and aesthetic values of the value proposition. The kernel category, Green Profile, explains the most important concepts valued by lignin actors in terms of what ecological and aesthetic value could be offered to be appealing to customers. The findings of this study reveals the current situation of lignin in the cosmetic market as of today, and discerns where the value of lignin lies. The understanding of lignin actors' values contributes to the current gray-area in biopolymer research, lacking information on the value chain of lignin in cosmetics. The findings therefore foster the advancement of sustainable innovative solutions for cosmetics and personal care.