The Asia-Pacific Intellectual Property Institute (APIPLI) hosted a lecture by Dr Luigi Palombi on Wednesday, 6 May 2009. In his lecture, attended by approximately 50 people, Dr Palombi dealt with the monopolisation of biological materials in Australia and he explained how the Australian Senate has come to investigate gene patents, considering how they have, are and may impact upon medical and scientific research and the provision of health care in Australia. Dr Palombi’s lecture was followed by a heated and interesting debate among the participants. Dr Palombi also introduced his recently published a book entitled Gene Cartels: Biotech Patents in the Age of Free Trade, published by Edward Elgar.