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HR 4989 102th Congress House Commerce Animal genetics Genetic engineering Laboratory animals Patents Protection of animals

To amend title 35, United States Code, to impose a 5-year moratorium on the granting of patents on invertebrate or vertebrate animals, including those that have been genetically engineered, in order…

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To amend title 35, United States Code, to impose a 5-year moratorium on the granting of patents on invertebrate or vertebrate animals, including those that have been genetically engineered, in order to provide time for the Congress to fully assess, consider, and respond to the economic, environmental, and ethical issues raised by the patenting of such animals.

Introduced: April 28, 1992 See on congress.gov
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This bill died when the 102nd Congress ended
It never became law before the 102nd Congress (1991–1992) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 2 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Apr 28, 1992
Referred to the House Committee on Judiciary.
Apr 28, 1992
Introduced in House
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 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Imposes a five-year moratorium on the granting of patents on invertebrate or vertebrate animals.

What's happening now April 28, 1992

Referred to the House Committee on Judiciary.

 Related & companion bills 1
  • S 1291 Identical bill A bill to amend title 35, United States Code, to impose a 5-year moratorium on the granting of patents on invertebrate …
 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 1
 Cosponsors 1
All 1 Independent 1
I
Sanders, Bernard
Vermont · Aug 5, 1992
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APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 4989: To amend title 35, United States Code, to impose a 5-year moratorium on the granting of patents on invertebrate or vertebrate animals, including those that have been genetically engineered, in order to provide time for the Congress to fully assess, consider, and respond to the economic, environmental, and ethical issues raised by the patenting of such animals.. 102nd Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/102-HR-4989/
MLA
"H.R. 4989: To amend title 35, United States Code, to impose a 5-year moratorium on the granting of patents on invertebrate or vertebrate animals, including those that have been genetically engineered, in order to provide time for the Congress to fully assess, consider, and respond to the economic, environmental, and ethical issues raised by the patenting of such animals.." 102nd Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/102-HR-4989/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 4989, 102nd Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/102-HR-4989/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 4989: To amend title 35, United States Code, to impose a 5-year moratorium on the granting of patents on invertebrate or vertebrate animals, including those that have been genetically engineered, in order to provide time for the Congress to fully assess, consider, and respond to the economic, environmental, and ethical issues raised by the patenting of such animals.](https://openamerica.io/bill/102-HR-4989/)
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