US Supreme Court To Decide Whether Or Not Genes Can Be Patented
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While BRCA1 and 2 are stretches of DNA that occur in nature, Myriad Genetics argues that their isolation make them inventions.
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The US isn’t the only country trying to find their way out of this messy litigation thicket. Australia’s Full Federal Court began hearings the same week to consider the validity of Myriad’s tests.
As with other products that companies sell, Myriad can put whatever price they want on their breast cancer tests. The question of what is nature and what is invention is a philosophical question with huge practical implications. The Supreme Court is expected to continue deliberating on the case until it delivers a decision June 30. When it does, researchers, doctors and patients will be listening closely.
http://singularityhub.com/2013/04/22/us-supreme-court-to-decide-whether-or-not-genes-can-be-patented/
While BRCA1 and 2 are stretches of DNA that occur in nature, Myriad Genetics argues that their isolation make them inventions.
The US isn’t the only country trying to find their way out of this messy litigation thicket. Australia’s Full Federal Court began hearings the same week to consider the validity of Myriad’s tests.
As with other products that companies sell, Myriad can put whatever price they want on their breast cancer tests. The question of what is nature and what is invention is a philosophical question with huge practical implications. The Supreme Court is expected to continue deliberating on the case until it delivers a decision June 30. When it does, researchers, doctors and patients will be listening closely.
http://singularityhub.com/2013/04/22/us-supreme-court-to-decide-whether-or-not-genes-can-be-patented/