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1/5 of All Human Genes Have Been Patented

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the my-genes-are-my-own dept.

mopslik writes "A story on National Geographic News cites a study claiming that 20% of all human genes 'have been patented in the United States, primarily by private firms and universities.' While universities hold 28% of all gene-related patents, 63% belong to private firms, with a whopping 2000 patented genes (approximately 67%, or 50% total) belonging to a single firm." From the article: "You can find dozens of ways to heat a room besides the Franklin stove, but there's only one gene to make human growth hormone ... If one institution owns all the rights, it may work well to introduce a new product, but it may also block other uses, including research ..."

6 of 441 comments (clear)

  1. So.... by i.r.id10t · · Score: 5, Funny

    So... which one of us meat popsicles gets to claim "prior art" first?

    --
    Don't blame me, I voted for Kodos
  2. This Just In by Dark+Paladin · · Score: 5, Funny

    God, aka "The Supreme Being", "The Intelligent Designer" and "Don't Fuck With Me Pip-Squeaks" recently filed claim in federal court for patent infringement. He/She/It/They claim that patents regarding the human genome violate He/She/It/Their's intellectual property laws.

    "Good grief, you little monkeys are an annoying lot," God was quoted as saying. "Between this and that jackass Jack Thompson, I'm going to have to fire up another hurricane."

    Comments from the defendants were not returned at the time of this filing, as they had all turned to salt.

    --
    52 Weeks, 52 Religions with John Hummel
  3. Re:Wait wait, what the hell? by cpu_fusion · · Score: 5, Funny

    Clippy: I see you are trying to apply logic to the patent system.
    Would you like to:
    1. Take bong hits until this makes sense
    2. Shoot self to save time
    3. Hey look over there, a shiny pebble!

  4. Re:Wait wait, what the hell? by confusednoise · · Score: 5, Funny
    If you have a "D" in your nucleotide sequence, I suspect you have bigger problems than just patent issues ;-)

    Hint: The only bases in use in Earth DNA are Adenine, Cytosine, Guanine and Thymine (ACGT).

  5. The Right to Keep and Bear Arms by yintercept · · Score: 5, Funny

    RE: "The Right to Keep and Bear Arms"

    FYI, the genes that create arms are now the property of Sybiotic Genes Operations (SGO) based in Lindon, Utah. While people who currently have arms will be allowd to keep and bear them (According the Constitution) the SGO Group asks that all people who are currently in the process of growing arms (infants and children) pay a reasonable licensing fee for the use of the genes used to grow said arms.

  6. Or more generally... by Dr.Dubious+DDQ · · Score: 5, Funny

    "All Your Base-Pair Are Belong To Us"

    --
    Hacker Public Radio is our Friend