Does the U.S. Supreme Court decision resolve the gene-patenting issue?

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Human Genes are NOT Patentable

By Karen Matthias RN MBA

[Vice-President of Marketing]

Hayes, Inc kmatthias@hayesinc.com

Yesterday, the U.S. Supreme Court unanimously agreed that human genes are not patentable, making a distinction between “natural” DNA found in the human body and the laboratory-created “synthetic” DNA. This opinion reinforces those of many in the genetics community who have argued for years that genes are products of nature rather than inventions.

A Resolution?

But, does the Supreme Court decision completely resolve the gene-patenting issue?

Dr. Diane Allingham-Hawkins, Senior Director, Genetic Test Evaluation Program and Technical Editing at Hayes, Inc., doesn’t think so.

“The Justices compromised somewhat in their decision that while human genes as they exist in nature were ruled not patentable, the opinion allowed that synthetic copies – so-called complementary DNA or cDNA – may be”.

The Court did not rule, however, that cDNA meets all requirements of patent eligibility, just that cDNA would not be considered a ’product of nature’.

Issues Not Addressed

In addition, Dr. Allingham-Hawkins points out what the decision does not address.

“Notably, the opinion clearly stated that it was not ruling on any methods patents related to the two genes or on any applications regarding what Myriad had learned about the genes, leaving the door open for narrower genetic testing patents.

Nevertheless, this is a major victory for the plaintiffs in the case and for patients, who will now have choices related to who performs their genetic testing and options to seek second opinions from independent laboratories.”

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US supreme court building

More 

Our new white paper on the history of gene patenting in the United States can be an excellent resource as you search for background information on this topic.

Download a complimentary copy here:  http://www.hayesinc.com/hayes/resource-center/white-papers/gene-patenting-in-the-united-states/.

Assessment  

Thanks for considering.

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One Response

  1. PRIVACY

    If you or a relative have dipped into genetic research, should you be worried about your own privacy?”

    “What the Golden State Killer case means for your genetic privacy – Fears about the privacy of our data have become commonplace amid credit monitoring hacks and a political firm accessing Facebook users’ information. A recent arrest takes it one step further, raising questions about how our genetic information is being used and who has access to it.”

    POSTED 10:05 AM, APRIL 28, 2018, BY CNN WIRE
    http://wtvr.com/2018/04/28/what-the-golden-state-killer-case-means-for-your-genetic-privacy/

    Darrell K. Pruitt DDS

    Like

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