Human gene patents continue to stir social controversy, including the possibility that they might adversely affect public access to useful technologies. It has been suggested that a compulsory licensing policy might be used to alleviate the adverse effect of patents in this context. We suggest, however, that it is unclear whether existing international policies and licensing practices will permit compulsory licensing to be used in a way that would address common concerns. Indeed, given the minor role that genetic technologies have in most health care systems, it would be difficult to justify compulsory licensing. At a minimum, policy makers need to be more realistic about the potential effects of international trade agreements on the development of biotechnology policies.