Scientists and commercial firms are scrambling to patent the genetic code of the virus thought to be responsible for Sars.

The group which produced the first entire genetic sequence of the coronavirus confirmed this week that it is seeking a patent to ensure that everyone has free access to the code.

It fears that a commercial patent could slow down research into vaccines and treatments.

In recent years, many genes thought to relate to illness have been "patented" by individuals and firms.

This remains controversial - many scientists regard the unravelling of the function of genes as a "discovery" rather than an "invention", and therefore not patentable.

However, increasingly, scientists have lodged "defensive" gene patents to prevent commercial firms claiming intellectual property over them.

The first genome of the Sars coronavirus strain was published within days of the World Health Organization sounding an alert over the illness.

So far it has killed more than 400 people and infected thousands more.

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