Your DNA is owned under patent by large firms.
Apologise if this has already been covered.
I recently read New Scientist and happened to come across an article about how our genes are actual being patented by large Pharmaceutical Firms. At
first I thought it must have something to do with the scientific equipment used to identify certain genes, but on further reading I was astonished to
find that US companies do indeed own the rights to your DNA.
I have discovered that this is a very controversial ruling in the world, and that many people have tried to challenge it. A lot share a view that I
agree with which is if something is naturally produced in nature or the body, then it should not be “Owned” by anyone. Surely DNA , the very
building blocks of life, can’t be owned by anyone but us....people.
According to some articles , US Patent law is actually blocking people from researching or studying certain genes, because they are owned by someone
else. And, an interested party would have to pay vast sums of money to the owner of the patent before they can begin research on that gene.
Currently there are over 3 million genes awaiting patent approval in the US.
What this currently means is that the all powerful pharmaceutical companies are now blocking further research into genetic disorders around the world,
because they own the rights to that gene. From what I can see Gene Patents have already affected our every day lives. Breast Cancer test have now
risen from $1000USD to over $3000USD because someone owns the Gene to Breast Cancer. Myriad owns the patent on the BRCA 1 and 2 genes.
Many scientists around the world hesitated working on the SAR’s disease due to worries over patents.
The same name keeps popping up here as well. Myriad (Pharm firm) and Utah University.
I think this is a concern for us on a massive scale. My worries are:-
1) Blocking research on genetic disorders like Alzheimer’s, child disability.
2) Genetic Monopolies being formed. A few companies could own the entire Human DNA Sequence, how to extract it and how to cure diseases.
3) Gene Discrimination – AS in GATACA (Great film one of my top 50 of all time)
4) Companies profiteering even more than they are now on the very building blocks of our existence.
5) Again a lot of fingers are pointing at the USA for this. And I don’t trust the US government as far as I could kick em’. Sorry if that offends
some of you yanks out there. Love the people, not sure about the government . So , if the USA who currently own 1/5 of your genes, end up owning them
all. What will happen to us? Could that tech be used against us? Genetic Warfare?
To conclude, I’m shocked that common sense has not prevailed here. This is beyond ethical. This is an example of power , greed and corruption. I
mean, who in there right mind would patent gene’s, the extraction of and the research of those genes? What person woke up one day and though
“Hell, thats a great idea....lets screw humanity over some more”. Might have had something to do with Myriad buying that freedom. To me , this
goes beyond common sense. Its like someone filing a patent on your eye ball, every time you use an eye ball you have to pay the US 1$.
Extreme example I hear you say. Well Adrenalin and Insulin, two natural hormones in the body, are already patented. Adrenalin from around the turn of
the lastr century...over 100 years ago. .
Link to a good document.
docs.google.com...
01RbsczVoMJ:weblog.greenpeace.org/ge/archives/1Study_True_Costs_Gene_Patents.pdf+Ramifications+of+gene+pate
nts&hl=en&gl=uk&pid=bl&srcid=ADGEESgF5YpY6-1QzXD-zD-3MwF9p-zoxwc-VzjheEhwFTWFgqKG31h4SKh89b7-nZ0F21wAgiCw0G7vlZQoZfDgW27y94-hlEKxnB9j_uDgUbGXDf2JdNPt3
UH7eNB6f59D9EtIrs9R&sig=AHIEtbTdJGvsxHDIkJbE1X-u6rLQpKNolA
[edit on 16-2-2010 by Pax et Intellectus]
[edit on 16-2-2010 by Pax et Intellectus]
[edit on 16-2-2010 by Pax et Intellectus]
