Agricultural-Biological-Technology is the future, and a company developing a new “gene” that would make food more nutritious would have a valuable asset if no other company could use their discovery.  Make an argument as to why businesses that develop modified organisms should be able to preserve their property rights by patenting such organisms.

Your argument might include the purpose of a patent being designed to protect the payoffs from investments in this sort of research and development.  Then, make a counterargument as to why such organisms should not be allowed a patent.  While you should present both sides, you should clearly choose a position for or against and attempt to persuade the reader to adopt your position.

Arguments against might be found on websites like http://www.greenpeace.org/usa/en  and http://www.councilforresponsiblegenetics.org.  Also, be sure to read the United States Supreme Court decision of Diamond v. Chakrabarty.

Submit a written paper which 3-4 pages in length exclusive of reference page. Paper should be double-spaced and should cite reliable sources to support your ideas.  Be sure to read the assessment criteria below before you begin writing.

Be sure to use APA formatting in your paper.  Purdue University’s Online Writing LAB (OWL) is a free website that provides excellent information and resources for understanding and using the APA format and style. The OWL website can be accessed here: http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/01/

Assessment Criteria

Written Assignments will:

• state legitimate arguments in favor of the position
• state legitimate counterarguments against the position
• persuade the reader to take a position
• use acceptable sources (including laws, legal theories, academic articles, etc.) to support the arguments, particularly the writer's position. All sources are cited in APA format.
• will demonstrate a high quality of writing, including the use of clear and concise language