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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. Re:Searching for Prior Art? by pmike_bauer · · Score: 0, Troll

    We need Him for a whole lot more than prior art!

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    I read /. for the (Score:-1, Conservative) comments.
  2. Corrupt government allows anything for money. by Futurepower(R) · · Score: 0, Troll

    The U.S. government is for sale to whomever has money: Unprecedented Corruption: A guide to conflict of interest in the U.S. government

  3. Re:Searching for Prior Art? by ak3ldama · · Score: 0, Troll

    Jihad!

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    "but money is the God of Algiers & Mahomet their prophet." - Rich. O'Bryen June 8th 1786
  4. Re:Searching for Prior Art? by Dread_ed · · Score: 0, Troll

    God dosen't do holy wars. He just wipes out the entire population of the world except for a few couples (the flood), or he instantly destroys ~200,000 warriors in a single incident (Senacherib), or makes huge rivers of blood the size of the Amazon river(Gog and Magog revolution) from the people who oppose him.

    Holy wars are for the silly human powermongers like militant Islamists and Republicans in the grip of the "moral majority."

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    When the only tool you have is a claw hammer every problem starts to look like the back of someone's skull.
  5. Re:Searching for Prior Art? by deaddrunk · · Score: 0, Troll

    Durka durka jihad mohammed

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    Does a Christian soccer team even need a goalkeeper?
  6. Re:Searching for Prior Art? by ratpack91 · · Score: 0, Troll

    I think you'll find its: "Derka derka, mohammed jihad"