There have been debates recently over whether or not gene patents could be helping or harming the medical industry. Duke Institute for Genome Sciences & Policy conducted a study which analyzed multiple cases in which gene patents were not useful. A main example of this was the recent discovery and patent of the gene BRCA1 and BRCA2 by University of Utah who licensed the genes to Myriad Genetics. This gene is especially prevalent in breast cancer patients, and the study of it could lead to more knowledge about this sort of cancer. However, instead of releasing the information about the gene, a patent was placed on it so that Myriad could make money through their information gathered from this gene. This specific case was challenged in court and the federal judge ruled against the patenting of genes because they are not manmade, but rather a product of nature. Many major genetic corporations combat this idea through arguing the vigorous amount of work that is placed into translating the DNA and altering it so that it may be understood by researchers.
There is without a doubt a major business to be made of the millions of genes that are both known and unknown. Each gene that is discovered can bring more knowledge to the field of genetics as well as the entire medical community. As more genes are discovered, more diseases are able to be understood. However, if the genes are being hidden in order to make a business out of human illness, these breakthroughs will not be able to occur. In the end, it becomes a question of whether the researcher is studying the gene to better mankind, or to better the size of his or her paycheck.
http://cenblog.org/the-haystack/2010/04/duke-study-says-gene-patents-harm-innovation/
There is without a doubt a major business to be made of the millions of genes that are both known and unknown. Each gene that is discovered can bring more knowledge to the field of genetics as well as the entire medical community. As more genes are discovered, more diseases are able to be understood. However, if the genes are being hidden in order to make a business out of human illness, these breakthroughs will not be able to occur. In the end, it becomes a question of whether the researcher is studying the gene to better mankind, or to better the size of his or her paycheck. 