I highly doubt that God is going to be too excited to learn that some greedy company is holding a patent over His work!

Seriously though... at what point do we finally tell these companies to go f#*k themselves? There certain things that just shouldn't be "owned" and God's roadmap to life is pretty high on that list - I would think.

[edit on 15-12-2008 by kozmo]

There is something good in this thread, to me at least. I thought that percentage of DNA patented by $ is larger.
As for the idea that it is not about the money - if one has patented gene that is responsible for color of eyes any toying with this gene to make color different will need to be via this patent. It is all about the money, as the song goes. Also think about diabetes gene (if there is one, i doubt it very much) or over genes that will be target for gene therapy in not so distant future.
Now_Then - patents are protected only where they are protected. No, i am not insane or cynical. Each country (or Union) have their patent office so in order for a patent to be protected in X , X's patent office needs to be paid. Y or Z are no mans land. Not to mention hiring a lawyer to check for patent infringements and for suing. So protecting patent globally needs a LOT of money. Usually patents are applied only in main producers and consumers of product.
All info is 5 years old from a boring class. Hope it is still valid and i am not senile.

Originally posted by Now_Then
Hang on... I'm using my DNA right now... Am I infringing copyright?

Not unless by "using your DNA" you mean you sequenced your own DNA to find a previously-patented gene sequence coding for a defect that you then create a test for to sell to people so they can find out if they have the same defect... then you'd be in violation.