This paper outlines public interest concerns that citizens’ groups need to air at the WTO, where many of the decisions are now being made about the contours of this “land grab.” The WTO needs to open up to public scrutiny and input in the context of three upcoming intellectual property debates. The first is the 1999 review of whether to require WTO members to recognize patents on life forms. The second is the review in 2000 of all WTO rules on intellectual property. The third is the possible inclusion of intellectual property on the agenda for upcoming trade negotiations. Governments need to respond to public input on the following needs:
1. The need to address environmental and indigenous goals and issues;
2. The need to avoid overly broad biotechnology patents;
3. The need to ensure that intellectual property does not reduce market competition;
4. The need for the WTO to promote development equitably in North and South;
5. The need for countries to manage investment in biotechnology;
6. The need to minimize the impact of unilateral pressure between trading partners;
7. The need to address environmental and ethical concerns about intellectual property.