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US District Judge Rules Gene Patents Invalid
shriphani writes "A US judge has ruled that Myriad Genetics' breast cancer gene patent is invalid. Hopefully this will go a long way in ensuring that patents on genes do not stand in the way of research. From the article: 'Patents on genes associated with hereditary breast and ovarian cancer are invalid, ruled a New York federal court today. The precedent-setting ruling marks the first time a court has found patents on genes unlawful and calls into question the validity of patents now held on approximately 2,000 human genes.'"
If there isn't a financial return, who is going to drop billions of dollars into biotech research? The government? Academia? Perhaps. But not as much research will have been done compared to all of the private companies out there in addition to gov and edu researchers. I'm not saying genes should be patented, but the money has to come from somewhere.