Your body is intellectual property

Tue, 14 May 2013 20:52:00 +0000

On April 15, in the case of The Association for Molecular Pathology vs. Myriad Genetics, Inc., the United States Supreme Court heard arguments questioning the legitimacy of patents on human genes. A genetic testing company, Myriad Genetics, has patent claims on two human genes that influence a person’s risk for breast cancer. Myriad is being sued by a conglomerate of physicians, scientists, and patients who argue that Myriad has illegitimately patented a product of nature. While the lawyers and Justices delved into the arcana of patent law and molecular biology, many of the rest of us were wondering: how the heck can you patent someone’s genes?

SCOTUS to decide if human genes can be patented

Fri, 30 Nov 2012 21:14:00 +0000

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Supreme Court will soon decide whether companies can patent human genes, a decision that could reshape the future of medical care in the United States.

The justices on Friday decided they would hear an appeal from medical professionals who want to stop Myriad Genetics Inc. from patenting genetic mutations that are linked to increased risk of breast cancer. The company's BRACAnalysis test looks for those mutations.

Doctors want to use genetic testing to look at these genes to discover whether patients have increased risks of diseases like breast or ovarian cancer, but they say letting businesses patent them would get in their way. Companies say without being able to patent and profit from their work, they would not be able to fund the type of medical breakthroughs doctors depend on.

Salon.com > genes

Your body is intellectual property

SCOTUS to decide if human genes can be patented