Swiss reject genetic protection bill:
This article was originally published in Clinica
Executive Summary
Swiss voters have rejected a proposal for a genetic protection bill which life science companies such as Roche and Novartis claim would have severely curtailed genetic research in Switzerland. According to press reports, the two companies spent around SFr35 million ($24.9 million) campaigning against the bill - other reports, however, put the figure at SFr8 million. The bill would have prohibited the patenting of products made using parts of genetically modified plants and animals, and the production and use of genetically modified animals.