Justices Consider Whether Patents on Genes are Valid

Supreme Court justices are facing the difficult question as to whether human genes should be allowed to be patented or whether a decision would be too late. Myriad Genetics discovered that when two specific human genes are mutated they make the woman high risk for breast cancer. This patented knowledge would allow Myriad Genetics to provide testing on these potential mutated genes and create a business where profit would only increase with time.

Geneticists have been working to battle diseases with the increasing knowledge of human genes. However, patenting a part of the human body is argued to be restricting the patients rights to themselves and any further advancement of essential parts of human life. Myriad plans to block testing of certain genes, which no other company has been granted.

“Events on the ground have overtaken the law,” said Dr. James P. Evans, a professor of genetics and medicine at the University of North Carolina. He said the impact of the Supreme Court’s decision “will be much more ideological than it will be practical.”

As time goes on, the Supreme Court’s decision becomes less significant, as genetic advancements have taken over any potential ruling. Companies are taking swift action to furthering their studies on human genes and a case like Myriad’s realistically will not stop them. Science is taking over any potential ruling, for it is believed that an entire person’s genome will be able to be sequenced at a low price in the near future.

 

For more information visiting the following site:http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/15/business/as-court-considers-gene-patents-case-may-overlook-relevant-issues.html?pagewanted=all or http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-22157410