The justices’ decision will likely resolve an ongoing battle between scientists who believe that genes carrying the secrets of life should not be exploited for commercial gain and companies that argue that a patent is a reward for years of expensive research that moves science forward.
The current case involves Myriad Genetics Inc. of Salt Lake City, which has patents on two genes linked to increased risk of breast and ovarian cancer. Myriad’s BRACAnalysis test looks for mutations on the breast cancer predisposition gene, or BRCA. Those mutations are associated with much greater risks of breast and ovarian cancer.
But the American Civil Liberties Union challenged those patents, arguing that genes couldn’t be patented, and in March 2010, a New York district court agreed. But the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit has now twice ruled that genes can be patented, in Myriad’s case because the isolated DNA has a “markedly different chemical structure” from DNA within the body.
Among the ACLU’s plaintiffs are geneticists who said they were not able to continue their work because of Myriad’s patents, as well as breast cancer and women’s health groups, patients and groups of researchers, pathologists and laboratory professionals. “It’s wrong to think that something as naturally occurring as DNAcan be patented by a single company that limits scientific research and the free exchange of ideas,” said Chris Hansen, staff attorney with the ACLU Speech, Privacy and Technology Project.
( via phys.org)