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Ontario Ignores Gene Patent

Posted by michael on from the put-up-your-dukes dept.

Anonymous Coward writes "Well, for once my government the Ontario Tories have done something right. You see, there's this cancer test that involves a gene sequence patented in Utah. Thankfully, my goverment decided to ignore the patent and help out those who need it. Ah the joys of living in such a liberated country." Different provinces have made different decisions about this particular patent.

2 of 68 comments (clear)

  1. Why thankfully? by MacAndrew · · Score: 2, Interesting

    I sympathize with the questions raised about genetic patents, and worry more generally much more about the threat of profiteering by companies that develop life-or-death health technologies, and the plight of people who can't afford essential care.

    But here, the poster is complimenting getting a free ride on the work of others. This is not "liberated" thinking, it is merely a bid to save money. It does not take a lot of imagination to project that too many free rides will lead to few if any rides.

    Surely there is a middle ground, compensating the developers as one would for a new drug, while avoiding the trickier implications of patents on genes. When it comes to money, this action is no different than immediately making a generic version of a newly developed drug.

  2. Patenting Genes by 56 · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Wouldn't that mean that just by having that gene sequence you are violating their patent? I can see how they can patent the method to test for this gene pattern, but not the gene pattern itself.