ACLU asks Supreme Court to reconsider gene patenting case
Biotechnology News
(Reuters) - The American Civil Liberties Union has asked for a second time that the Supreme Court invalidate Myriad Genetics Inc's patents on two genes associated with hereditary breast and ovarian cancers, the latest salvo in a case with broad consequences for the future of gene-based medicine. The lawsuit against Myriad and the University of Utah Research Foundation, which hold patents that allow the company to control testing for the genes, alleges that the patents are illegal and restrict scientific research and patients' access to medical care. ...
Source: BioTech News Headlines - Yahoo! News
Justices wary of wide human gene patent ruling
Biotechnology News
By Lawrence Hurley WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Supreme Court justices on Monday signaled reluctance to issue too broad a ruling about patents on human genes, and some indicated they might seek a compromise distinguishing between types of genetic material. The biotechnology industry has warned that an expansive ruling against Myriad Genetics Inc could threaten billions of dollars of investment. ...
Source: BioTech News Headlines - Yahoo! News
The Supreme Court ruled Thursday that human genes cannot be patented, a decision with both immediate benefits for some breast and ovarian cancer patients and long-lasting repercussions for biotechnology research. Ref. USAToday
The Supreme Court unanimously ruled Thursday that human genes cannot be patented.
But in something of a compromise decision, all nine justices said a synthetic version of the gene material may be patented.
Initial reaction from investors sent the stock of Myriad Genetics, the company involved, higher. Ref. CNN