BRCA NEWSWORTHY

It’s not over yet, but right now the courts have ruled for the people! My favorite article thus far is: click here to follow the link:

Invalidation of gene patents will benefit patients

The article was written 4/3/10 & comes from the website: http://www.news-medical.net/news/20100403/Invalidation-of-gene-patents-will-benefit-patients.aspx

If the ruling is upheld genetic testing & diagnosis will be open to more companies. Competition will put more players into the field & hopefully will be beneficial for patients.

BRCA NEWSWORTHY

A lawsuit has been filed against Myriad Genetics & the Patent Office

This story has multiple links: If I understand it correctly, it goes like this:

This link explains a senate debate on 11/12/08 http://www.openaustralia.org/senate/?id=2008-11-12.32.1

There are three BRCA1 patents & one BRCA 2 patent in Australia. Myriad Genetics took out these 4 patents in the USA. Genetic Technologies LTD in Australia is the exclusive licensee of these patents. Therefore the MONOPOLY on BRCA testing!

The following two links further explain the lawsuit against MYRIAD GENETICS & the US Patent Office. Apparently, there is finally awareness & some people are outraged to know that there is a patent on BRCA gene research. This monopoly prevents further research by other interested parties. Myriad Genetics will argue that they have the rights to the patent & it enables them to invest in research & development of cures. The people (cancer patients, pathologists, & genetic researchers) feel that having more players involved will bring down costs to testing & research & cures. The lawsuit also challenges gene patenting in general.

Please feel free to add your comments people!

LINKS:

ACLU sues over patents on breast cancer genes from cnn.com on 5/13/09

By: Stephanie Smith & Caitlin Hagan http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/05/12/us.genes.lawsuit/

Cancer Patients Challenge the Patenting of a Gene from The NYtimes.com on 5/13/09

By: John Schwartz

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/13/health/13patent.html?_r=2&hp