International Conventions on Biological Material Patenting - In connection with intellectual properties dealing with biological material, there are international conventions, which do not allow patents for processes or products dealing with alleviation of human diseases.

For instance, it is not possible to patent techniques for surgery such as by pass heart surgery, organ transplants, implant of heart valves, artificial limbs, dialysis for renal failure, plastic surgery and other surgical methods used in cancer, appendicitis or neurosurgery.

Similarly, one can not patent the following:
(i) the use of drugs, antibiotics or vaccines for any form of diagnosis, prevention or cure of diseases,

(ii) artificial insemination, and

(iii) in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer, etc.

In case of microorganisms selected for production of antibiotics, amino acids, enzymes, alcohol, etc., patent protection is generally not available, although under specific situations, protection for microorganisms modified for commercial use may be allowed.

In these cases (e.g. fermentation), generally commercial benefits are derived by contracts involving transfer of technology through restrictions on further transfer to third parties. Thus, trade secrecy rather than patents in such cases protect the commercial benefit.