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What is the present world scenario of intellectual property rights with respect to life materials? Although, India is second in the world to file patents, still only a few have been commercialized. Explain the reasons behind this less commercialization.

This question was previously asked in
UPSC CSE 2024 (Prelims) CSAT Previous Year Paper (16-Jun-2024)

The global landscape of Intellectual Property Rights concerning 'life materials' – encompassing genes, microorganisms, and biological processes – is complex and highly debated. There's a clear trend towards patenting biotechnological innovations, particularly by pharmaceutical and agro-biotech firms, aiming to protect significant R&D investments. However, this raises profound ethical questions about the ownership of life and sparks concerns over access to essential medicines or agricultural advancements, especially for developing nations. International agreements provide a framework, but national interpretations vary widely, reflecting a constant tension between incentivizing innovation and ensuring public welfare.

Despite India ranking high in the world for patent filings, particularly in biotechnology, their commercialization remains strikingly low. Several factors contribute: firstly, a weak industry-academia interface means much research stays confined to labs without commercial collaboration. Secondly, a significant funding gap exists for early-stage development, prototyping, and market validation. Thirdly, many patents originate from academic work, often lacking immediate market relevance or commercial viability. Lastly, bureaucratic hurdles in technology transfer and a focus among researchers on 'filing' over 'developing for market' further widen this critical gap, hindering innovation's real-world impact.

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Harsh Raj

Harsh Raj is a successful government exam expert, having cleared multiple stages of SSC CGL, IBPS PO, CDS, RRB NTPC, and Delhi Police SI exams himself and mentored more than 5000 students through direct mentorship. His expertise is in creating well researched content, especially MCQs, which have been directly asked by relevant commissions in multiple exams.

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