Do patents on breast, ovarian cancer genes, retard new research?
(NEWSER) - A Manhattan judge yesterday heard arguments on whether human genes should be covered by patents. A company called Myriad Genetics is being sued over its patents on two genes linked to an increased risk of breast and ovarian cancer—BRCA1 and BRCA2. The suit alleges that women's health is harmed by the patents, because, as an ACLU lawyer put it, "New forms of testing and new ways of using the gene have been inhibited." More»
