Genetic protection bill "could harm Swiss industry":w :
This article was originally published in Clinica
Executive Summary
Biomedical research in Switzerland could grind to a halt if a proposed genetic protection bill is passed, a leading Swiss industrialist has warned. Basic immunology research into illnesses such as cancer, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, HIV and Alzheimer's disease would be unable to continue, claimed Fritz Gerber, chairman of Roche. The bill, he said, would "totally cripple" biomedical research in the country. The proposed bill, the subject of a referendum on June 7, would prohibit the production and sale of genetically modified animals or plants and prevent patents from being granted for any process linked to research involving them.