Dr Venter said Celera had filed a preliminary patent application on this particular whole gene.

BBC: Human gene patents defended

Dr Venter said he thinks Celera's tentative approach to patent filings makes sense.

BBC: Human gene patents defended

Although patents on single genes now face legal challenges, Dr. Venter said he intends to patent his experimental cells.

WSJ: Scientists Create First Synthetic Cell

"He has a legally binding contract, " Sarries coach Brendan Venter said after their 29-28 loss to Gloucester on 3 April.

BBC: Saracens agree Tonga'uiha will stay with Northampton

Professor Venter said it is the only way drug companies are going to use genetic information to make medicines - to invest in the research they need the patent protection to ensure they recoup their money.

BBC: Human gene patents defended

"It is my belief that the basic knowledge that we're providing to the world will have a profound impact on the human condition and the treatments for disease and our view of our place on the biological continuum, " Venter said.

CNN: Leaders say discovery must be linked to responsible use

And at Venter's disciplinary hearing a week ago, Venter's QC said in mitigation that according to newspaper reports Cockerill's behaviour was "more reprehensible", yet no disciplinary action had been taken against him.

BBC: Venter cannot coach in final after ban appeal fails

But Dr Craig Venter, the president of Celera, said in a newspaper interview on Friday that his company had already sequenced the genomes of three different strains of mice, two of them to 90% completion, and was perplexed by the new public initiative.

BBC: New chapter in the gene race?

"There is no question that Brendan Venter was given a fair hearing by the panel chaired by Jim Sturman QC, " he said in a club statement.

BBC: Venter cannot coach in final after ban appeal fails