The biotech industry breathed a sigh of relief last week when a federal court again upheld companies’ ability to patent human genes.
Civil libertarians have challenged the industry, starting with Myriad Genetics, arguing that to own a patent involving human genetic material is the same as patenting “products of nature,” which is illegal.
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) won its first case in 2010, when it sued to nullify Myriad Genetics’ patents on the BRCA-1 BRCA-2 genes, which can help detect breast cancer.
Federal Court Again Rules that Genes Can be Patented
by Nathan
Aug 21, 2012
The biotech industry breathed a sigh of relief last week when a federal court again upheld companies’ ability to patent human genes.
Civil libertarians have challenged the industry, starting with Myriad Genetics, arguing that to own a patent involving human genetic material is the same as patenting “products of nature,” which is illegal.
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) won its first case in 2010, when it sued to nullify Myriad Genetics’ patents on the BRCA-1 BRCA-2 genes, which can help detect breast cancer.
More: http://www.allgov.com/Controversies/ViewNews/Federal_Court_Again_Ru...
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Federal Court Approves Patenting of Human Genes(by David Wallechinsky, AllGov)