Luis A. Lara-Pereda, Facultad de Filosofía y Letras, Colegio de Filosofía, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, México
Intellectual property has been a significant catalyst for fostering techno-scientific development. Various advancements have been achieved through it over the past decades. However, it has generated a series of ethical issues that are unavoidable. An example of this can be seen in the development of the COVID-19 vaccine. In the context of the pandemic, various laboratories began to develop a biological agent against the disease, which was obtained in record time. However, in addition to questions about its side effects, other questions have been raised, particularly those associated with the public origin of the funding that enabled the development of the vaccines and their subsequent protection through the patent figure. This paper examines a conflict that creates a tension between economic and ethical considerations.
Keywords: Pandemic. Health. Ethical conflict. Rights. Common good.