I guess it should be mentioned that this sort of patenting is illegal in the US.

I can't get past my bafflement at how one can patent a naturally occurring gene or variation of a gene.

I can understand the argument that companies who produce genetically modified crops can use (not saying I agree with it, but I understand it), because they have designed the mutations.

I can understand how one might patent a test for a certain gene variant.

But what is the logic behind patent of a gene itself?

And if DNA is patentable, then why is there such a problem with getting herbal medicines tested? Just give the patents for the plant's DNA to pharmaceutical companies.

I have a patent on how to plug in my computer so no one else from now on is allowed to plug in their computers.

You can't patent the human body. The patent needs to be re-worked so only an invention can have a patent not a procedure.

Here we see the first seeds of genoism. The movie gattaca is coming to pass. I advise anyone here to watch it, it's coming and it's a sad state of affairs.

To deny care is a common practise for many reasons.

The Patent thing should (if the patent was issued whether proper or other) have a Gov't subsidised license so the hospitals can do in house tests/or whatever, and the patent holder still gets a fee.

Personally, my last three experiences with the health care system (not counting rising rates for no apparent reason), are as follows.

1. about 30 years ago, I had a irregular heart beat that started suddenly. I went to my care provider and the person that brought me overheard three nurses (who had EKG'ed me) and went-a-gossiping in a room out of ear shot, talking about how I had the heart rythm of like an 80 year old with problems. I was in my teens.

This freaked out my friend, and when I heard the story, freaked me out as well.
The Doc gave me some pills (of course) for "anxiety".

The pills did nothing and the irregular beat persisted for days. On about the 6th day, I was at a live gig and it was loud. You could feel the waves thumping from the woofers and as I was close to a speaker cabinet, I felt the concussion of the kick drum hitting my torso, and after about 6 thumps, my heart beat returned to normal as suddenly as it had tripped out.
That was a good feeling.

Next one, I missed a one-hopper playing first base that curved at the last moment, missing my glove and the stitches caught me inside my ear.
I went to emergency because it was bleeding and that plugged feeling with an ear full of blood can be irritating.
The first idiot..I mean Doctor, tried to inject novicane in the cartlidge and that didn't do any numbing, just hurt, as he tried to stitch the tear. The skin just ripped and wouldn't hold. So he conferred with another doctor for awhile. Then a third. Then the three went and got a fourth.
After the final huddle, the procedure was determined.
They put a wad of gause behind my ear and wrapped my head, forcing my ear forward, thus pressure sealing the rear, and told me not to remove it for a week.
Good job gentlemen....

The last was this summer. Out of the blue, I had an infection I thought was due to an inlay that failed recently. It started around my temple behind my ear, and then the back of my neck. For 7 weeks, I was in severe pain and some nights had to sit up for laying down was excruciating. First I went to a dentist. He said he didn't think it was related to my inlay problem.
I went to emergency and was given a shot for pain (it didn't do anything but make my arm sore), some antibiotic (that also did nothing for $60.00), and 10 vicadans.
I went back two days later and had a CatScan, more touchy feely on my neck, and a flex test. I had nothing in CatScan, and no symptoms of menengitis. They found nothing. I was given ibuprofen and sent home. I went to a third Doctor, and he said I had symptoms of whiplash. (the whole time I told them all I could feel the pressure and was certain it was from the tooth and moved around my head.

I was given an ibuprofen refill and a neck brace. This did nothing. (the brace helped to not move my head to more painful positions.

I went to another dentist. After more xrays, he couldn't find anything tooth/infection related, but said he thought my nasal passages were looking stuffed up and maybe infected. ( I was sniffling the three hours I was there). He suggested an ear, nose, throat specialist.

I now must interject that, in my trade, had I had a problem that was not diagnosed correctly 3 to 5 times, and charged the fees the medical field charges, I would be out of business and probably have threats of violence for ripping off.
I know my daughter once at emergency had the Doctor come in to swab a throat culture and leave. His seperate charge from the emergency fee was almost $600.00. With the lab and visit, I was out about $1250.00.

Anyways, I ended up using home remedies. (my nursing techniques worked) -in about 10 days, (after 5 appointments that consisted of answering questions, bending limbs and neck, and inloading lots of Franklins to Doctors and Dentists), Some people I know tried to get me to keep going back, but they (the pill prescibing, expensive scanning machine toting MMD's) wanted to suck my spine to insure no menengitis, even though I had no symptoms. I did some reading and that procedure can be nasty and recovery harsh. I would have paid dearly once again, had I let them jack me for further tests.

So, even like the Lawyers I have had to show applicable code at times, and CPA's that I have had to correct their errors of many thousands not in my favor, and Doctors who can't diagnose much, (good thing the Human Body can take a lot and still keep kickin'), and pay these and every other overpriced white collar criminal,

I can see why they disenfranchise sick kids if they may get sued. Is non-treatment cause for class action against the patent holder?
No. It should be in some of these cases though.

I agree that financial profit is a primary motivator for the medical field. Whether or not anyone agrees with that, it's the truth behind the dynamic of the medical/health industry.

That being said, I think there is a world of difference between these two issues:

1 - obtaining a patent on an inanimate arrangement of chemicals in certain proportions and quantities, along with some food coloring, a spiffy package and a clever name

and

2 - obtaining a patent on an organic, animate living thing / process. Living things evolve and adapt, which means that the patents will also evolve and adapt (always protecting the original "product" and any variations thereof, regardless whether the new variations are intentional or done via nature).

I'm glad to see so much interest in this. I think this is just the first small step in what is to come.

They should go ahead anyway. The patent process is treason and no company owns any of my dna, nor any variations or diseases therein: this is joint public knowledge. Take it to court if necessary, and charge the judge if he sides with TREASON. Destroy this form of evil before it skyrockets.

Originally posted by Recouper

If there was something that I'm good at that I could do that would help this world become a better place (even if only by a tiny amount) I would do it for enough to pay the bills, keep my family and myself well feed, educate my children and to save a couple hundred $ a fortnight. If I was in that situation and was given the opportunity to do something else that would make me a lot more money (even if it was exponentially more) I would choose to keep making the world a better place.

It is always good to hear that there are more out there who understand that we are in it together. Selflessness and service to others.

If a lot more people felt this way, the DNA patent would be a non issue.