Head Blaze

Why is it that just because a company identifies a gene and in this case two human genes linked to breast and ovarian cancers do they think they are entitled to a patent? This case could determine if you even own your own body because if this is allowed, in the future you may have to pay a licensing fee just to be alive! Of course that would never happen, would it? But if they control the cause of a disease then they would presumably control the cure. Could mean that a company could identify a gene related to an illness, patent that gene and then wait for someone else to find a cure and reap the financial rewards from someone else’s efforts?

Source: ACLU sues over patents on breast cancer genes

Myriad Genetics, a Utah-based company, vowed Wednesday to “vigorously defend” itself against a legal challenge to its patents on two human genes linked to breast and ovarian cancers, its attorney told CNN.
A lawyer in the case says patenting genes would be like patenting an eyeball removed from someone.

A lawyer in the case says patenting genes would be like patenting an eyeball removed from someone.

“Myriad strongly believes its patents are valid and enforceable and will be upheld by the courts,” said Richard Marsh, the company’s general counsel.
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With apologies to the muppets Pigs in Space it seems that the real pigs in space is actually us. Looks like we can invent satellites like crazy but not a way to remove the old non-working ones.

Article: Space debris: evolution in pictures

Between the launch of Sputnik on 4 October 1957 and 1 January 2008, approximately 4600 launches have placed some 6000 satellites into orbit, of which about 400 are travelling beyond geostationary orbit or on interplanetary trajectories.

Today, it is estimated that only 800 satellites are operational – Continue Reading »