Monday, April 15, 2013

#73 - Historic Day in Science and Medicine - Patent a gene? yes or no?

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Today while chatting with my awesome boss, I learned that today is a historic day in science and medicine! Why??

Today the Supreme court will hear a case to determine whether or not a person or company can patent a gene.

Myriad Genetics is seeking patent for two genes related to hereditary breast cancer - BCRA1 and BCRS2.

My personal view is that this should not happen because there is a law in place that you cannot patent "products of nature". My genes (and your genes) are products of nature...so get off Myriad Genetics.

I worry that if we allow companies to patent genes then treatments that would be fairly inexpensive will soon become expensive. Also, where's the limit...if you can patent my genes can you patent other things that are technically MINE?

For more on the topic, click here.

What do you think? Sound off! :)




2 comments:

  1. This freaks me out, and I can't put my finger on exactly 'why'. It makes me uneasy. I agree that this shouldn't happen and hope that someone backs up that law that says this can't be done.

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