This is not however a problem confined to biotechnology and the RVZ has argued in a number of other advisory reports for 'decompartmentalisation'. By definition biotechnology relates to living organisms, plants, animals and human beings and hence has a marked ethical component. The feeling is that the public discussion about biotechnology in health care has not been sufficiently extensive. Numerous ethical issues remain the subject of debate. It is not, however, possible to conduct a broadly-based discussion at this point as there is insufficient knowledge about biotechnology in society.
Information is therefore highly important.
To date the scientific world has tended to be reserved towards patent applications on the grounds that such applications impede the free flow of information and hence scientific progress. There are however a number of arguments in favour of patenting by universities and research institutes. An important argument is that patents promote the development and mar-keting of products from which the patient benefits. The RVZ is positive about the patenting of biotechnological inventions in the health care field. It regards patenting as an effective instrument for promoting innovation in health care with a consequent increase in the quality of patient care.