Comments on: New Lawsuit Challenges the Patenting of Human Genes

By: madcap

madcap — Sun, 17 May 2009 00:39:59 +0000

I could support a patent on a particular test for a gene, given that the test required some innovation (rather than just applying obvious changes to existing tests for other genes). Similarly I can see patenting a gene therapy technique involving particular genes, with the same caveat.

But patenting genes themselves… I can’t even conceive of a justification for that. Researchers didn’t create these genes, so how can they claim them as their invention?

By: Nick

Nick — Fri, 15 May 2009 19:24:20 +0000

Re: EDavey – it’s been longer than the past 8 years that corps have had no oversight – the big banking regulations got blown away under Clinton. Check out the movie on google video called “Century of the Self” for the full rise of corporate america starting in the first gilded age back in the early 1900s. It’s downright frightening.

I think if any sort of gene patents are to be allowed, they should be short term – a year or two, five at the most – that will give companies and incentive to innovate – more so, actually, because they can’t sit on their ass for 20 years reaping huge profits.

By: MartyM

MartyM — Fri, 15 May 2009 19:10:03 +0000

I am glad that at least the majority of our genes are now in the public domain thanks to Dr. Collins and his staff. (no matter what you think about his theology – most of his book The Language of God is very interesting from a scientific and historical stand point).

- a side question: I’m reading Next by Micheal Crichton in which he makes reference to Dr. Collins recalling 5 peer reviewed documents that he supposedly forged during the HG project. Does anyone know anything about this? It this real or science fiction?

Back to topic: I’m torn about how I feel about “big pharma”. My feelings have shifted over the last year or so. While I think we are generally over-medicated and I don’t like the expensive TV commercials promoting the next flash in the pan miracle pill with a dozen restrictions and 100 side effects, I do think if they would emphasize the science of medicine more publicly and tone down the greed they could get a lot more public support as opposed to skepticism. I bet that would help fund more research.

By: EDavey

EDavey — Fri, 15 May 2009 15:43:17 +0000

There should be no surprise that corporations – big pharma in particular – would wring every last nickel possible from unfortunate individuals. Corporations have no morals,no ethics, and have had no oversight for the past eight years.

By: Tom

Tom — Fri, 15 May 2009 13:33:13 +0000

Disgusting. Patents on life, or the building blocks of it should NEVER be allowed. Based on ideas like this, we will one day be paying companies for the use of our own dna to stay alive.