Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Who owns your genes? In many cases, not you
Many companies hold patents on patient's genes, affecting testing, cancer research

...The United States government first granted patents on genes about 30 years ago to scientists who were able to "blueprint" the structure of a specific gene. Today, patents are attached to parts of about 20 percent of all human genes, including some that play a role in colon cancer and certain skin cancers. They last 20 years and are held by various private companies, foundations and universities, giving them the sole power to develop, administer and interpret tests for mutations...

[Full Article]