Patents begin to be accepted for animal breeds.
Date: 1987
The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office announces that it will accept patents for animal breeds produced through gene splicing and other new reproductive techniques. Those fighting for the patents proclaim that they will support the development of chickens that lay more eggs, leaner beef and pork, and dairy cows that produce more milk. The first animal patented will be the Oconomouse, a mouse bred for laboratory experiments.