Sterckx Sigrid
Ghent University, Department of Philosophy and Moral Science, Blandijnberg 2, 9000 Ghent, Belgium.
Sci Eng Ethics. 2005 Jan;11(1):81-92. doi: 10.1007/s11948-005-0059-3.
This paper offers a few elements of an answer to the question to what extent drug patents can be morally justified. Justifications based on natural rights, distributive justice and utilitarian arguments are discussed and criticized. The author recognizes the potential of the patents to benefit society but argues that the system is currently evolving in the wrong direction, particularly in the field of drugs. More than a third of the world's population has no access to essential drugs. The working of the patent system is an important determinant of access to drugs. This paper argues that drug patents are not easily justified and that the 'architecture' of the patent system should be rethought in view of its mission of benefiting society.
本文就药物专利在多大程度上能在道德上得到辩护这一问题给出了一些答案要点。基于自然权利、分配正义和功利主义论点的辩护被讨论和批判。作者认识到专利有使社会受益的潜力，但认为该体系目前正朝着错误的方向发展，尤其是在药物领域。世界上超过三分之一的人口无法获得基本药物。专利制度的运行是获取药物的一个重要决定因素。本文认为药物专利难以得到合理辩护，鉴于专利制度造福社会的使命，其“架构”应重新思考。
