Video: Patented Genes
'Should companies be able to own human genes? Morley Safer examines the idea of biotech firms patenting genes for profit, a controversy now being played out in courts of law.'
Last night I watched this report on CBS's 60 Minutes while husband and daughter were in the backyard.
I am just outraged that the United States Patent and Trademark Office, which grants copyright, patents and trademarks to man made inventions, would actually allow a breast cancer gene in the human body to be patented by a biotech company. This means that this company owns exclusive rights to allow anyone to test whether they inherit this gene, and scientists cannot work on finding better breast cancer detection and treatment methods for this gene freely. Instead of paying $300 or less for one to get tested whether they inherited this gene, they have to pay $3,200 without health insurance coverage) to this biotech company for the simple test.
Shame on these people who only seek to fulfill their thirst for personal wealth and power above saving human lives.
Watch the video here.
Last night I watched this report on CBS's 60 Minutes while husband and daughter were in the backyard.
I am just outraged that the United States Patent and Trademark Office, which grants copyright, patents and trademarks to man made inventions, would actually allow a breast cancer gene in the human body to be patented by a biotech company. This means that this company owns exclusive rights to allow anyone to test whether they inherit this gene, and scientists cannot work on finding better breast cancer detection and treatment methods for this gene freely. Instead of paying $300 or less for one to get tested whether they inherited this gene, they have to pay $3,200 without health insurance coverage) to this biotech company for the simple test.
Shame on these people who only seek to fulfill their thirst for personal wealth and power above saving human lives.
Watch the video here.
Labels: health
posted by Jiru at
8:41 AM
