University of New Hampshire
McNair Scholar, 2026
Major: Chemical Engineering
Mentor:
Research Title: Design Patent Frameworks and Bioethical Regulations vs. Bioprinting: Innovating "Products of Nature"
Abstract: Bioprinting represents a transformative paradigm shift at the intersection of tissue engineering and materials science,utilizing biological ink and additive manufacturing to construct biomimetic scaffold for commercial regenerative medicine applications. However, because these advanced architectures fundamentally rely on natural cell signaling pathways and pre-existing biological compounds, they face severe legal hurdles under global patent systems that prohibit the monopolization of "Product of Nature." This tension creates a paradoxical vulnerability: the more effectively a synthetic scaffold replicates natural human tissue, the less eligible it becomes for patent protection. Furthermore, treating these biomimetic constructs as proprietary medical devices rather than biological tissues risks encouraging corporate monopolies, potentially driving socio-economic stratification and inequitable patient access.
To address these legal and ethical frictions, this project utilizes John Rawls' Distributive Justice Theory to evaluate the impacts of biotechnology commercialization. The research employs a three-tiered methology: a systematic doctrinal and statutory analysis of United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) and European Patent Office (EPO) frameworks; an empirical patent landscaping search to map corporate monopolies and claim types; and qualitative semi-structured interviews with intellectual property attorneys, regulatory affairs specialists, and bioethicists. By integrating the principal investigator's background in chemical engineering and biomaterials with advanced legal literacy, this project will culminate in a publication-ready academic paper, an industry conference presentation, and a practical patent-drafting guide designed to help biotechnology startups navigate regulatory frameworks while ensuring equitable healthcare access.
