|
Post by yellowcat on Sept 15, 2010 13:34:42 GMT 1
What are peoples views on gene patents. I can see the case for patents on novel synthetic genes but not on naturally occurring genes. The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (PTO) has granted thousands of patents on human genes. There are patents on about 20 percent of our genes. The patent holder has the right to prevent anyone from studying, testing or even looking at a gene without paying them. As a result, scientific research has been delayed, limited or even shut down and genetic testing is expensive and only able to be carried out by the patent holders or those licensed by them. On March 29, 2010 a New York federal court ruled that the patents on the BRCA1 and BRCA2 (breast cancer) genes are invalid: www.aclu.org/blog/free-speech-womens-rights/who-owns-your-genes-you-do
|
|
|
Post by abacus9900 on Sept 15, 2010 21:17:04 GMT 1
Frankly, I think it's a sinister development. What might it lead to?
|
|
|
Post by lazarus on Sept 16, 2010 16:29:12 GMT 1
How can they accept it is possible to patent genes that people are naturally born with?
|
|