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Tuesday, April 16, 2013

The DNA can it be patented?


DNA as a product of nature or the result of a scientific finding, does can be patented? Is the question asked the Supreme Court of the United States on a judgment on two genes linked to breast cancer and ovarian cancer. During an audience of just over an hour, the nine members did not seem to reach a concrete decision on this case, which could have a significant impact on biotechnology and genetic research. Examined, one by one, the gold example, natural product that is extracted from the soil with commercial, a baseball bat, which is cut from a tree trunk, or even a plant native to the Amazon that is used with medicinal purposes. "Extract a natural product simply is not enough" ; these products, all from nature can not be patented, the Supreme Court said Christopher Hansen , an attorney for the Association of Molecular Pathology together with researchers, doctors and patients criticize the decision of the company Myriad Genetics to patent two genes that identify breast cancer and ovarian cancer. On the other hand, counsel for Myriad, Gregory Castanias, said genes are "human constructions "and can not be compared with human organs such as the liver or kidneys, which could not be patented. The company filed patents for isolated two genes, BRCA 1 and 2, which inherited mutations are linked with an increased risk of breast cancer and ovarian cancer. Gathered before the Supreme Court, doctors and women who suffer or have suffered these diseases estimated that Myriad's monopoly on these patents from moving forward with new medical evidence and is an obstacle to research.

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