Question: What is the recent controversy about Myriad genetics in patents in the US Supreme Court. Do you think it would discourage investment in R&D. Answer: Faster, cheaper DNA testing is revolutionizing medical care and it has a strong impact in case of breast cancer. If a woman tests positive using Myriad tests, she carries as much as 80% chance that she will get breast cancer in her lifetime. Such knowledge helps women take charge of their medical future, providing options that can include preventive surgery and more intensive monitoring. Angelina Jolie a famous hollywood star underwent a double masectomy as she had a harmful mutation in BRCA1 However, since late 1990’s Myriad has had a patent on such tests including BRCA-I and BRCA 2 genes, which can cost up to $4,000. The main issue thus, under scrutiny was if Myriad’s discovery and sequencing of BRCA genes rendered Myriad discoverable patentability. The US Supreme Court thus concluded that though artificially produced DNA (cDNA) could be patented, but the naturally occurring DNA could not. Thus, the US Supreme Court drew a balance between allowing the public to continue to conduct research and rewarding the researches for the creation of lab-made molecules. The US Supreme Court decision to some extend portrays as if investment will be hampered in the field of research and development, but, in actual gene patents inhibits and not encourages research and investment. In this specific case itself, since the Myriad genetics test started 5 years ago, no innovation has occurred in the sphere of breast cancer gene testing. Thus, no direct correlation can be drawn between the investments and patents on gene testing. However, the absence of such patents will surely improve the research undertaken for the genetic testing and subsequently, attain more investment. Also, as cDNA still remains to be patented, investment incentive to scientists is not lost completely. Therefore, the investments in biotechnology do not seem to directly suffer in any way from the US Supreme Court ruling. With breast cancer being the leading cancer affecting women and about 10 per cent of breast cancer cases being hereditary in nature, the number of those who need to undergo genetic testing is high. Yet, the company’s greed had effectively prevented many women from getting tested.Thanks to the court’s decision, and greater awareness about genetic testing created recently by Angelina Jolie, who had a double mastectomy as she had a harmful mutation in BRCA1, more lives will be saved. And that’s what medical science is all about.
Posted on: Sun, 08 Sep 2013 18:15:26 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015