Inventions are excluded from patenting if they violate public policy or morality.

The purpose of the exclusion is to ensure that a patent does not appear to be state recognition of something reprehensible.

The exclusion is interpreted narrowly: the possibility of criminal use is not sufficient. If there are also legal applications, an invention can be patented.

In biotechnology, there are absolute exclusions, such as human cloning, altering the genetic identity of humans, or using human embryos for industrial or commercial purposes.

In the case of procedures for the genetic modification of animals, the suffering of the animal must be weighed against the benefits for humans or animals.