Below are some interesting extract from the article..
- “Myriad Genetics controls all testing on the two breast cancer genes because they own the genes, lock stock and barrel. They patented them and no one else can legally test for them, or look at them, or even develop potential therapies that are based on them without Myriad’s consent.”
- And there is the issue of cost. In most of Europe and Canada, where Myriad’s patents have been challenged or ignored, the test is given at a fraction of the $3,200 Myriad charges.
- Asked how much she thinks the test would cost if the breast cancer gene was in the public domain, Andrews said, “I think maybe $300. I’ve had people, geneticists, tell me they would be willing to do it for less than that.”
- “Well, you’re right about what the patent law was intended to do, which was to reward inventors who brought something new in the world. But the patent on human genes, it’s as if the first surgeon who took a kidney out of your body then patented the kidney,” Andrews replied.
- “Since then, nearly 10,000 have been patented, nearly a third of the genes in your body.”
- “A gene is a natural, living thing. How on Earth can anyone allow patenting of a gene?” Milunsky asked.