Meet the Woman Who has a 20% Chance of Living Because of One Company's Greed ACLU.org
go to original April 17, 2013

The Fight To Take Back Our Genes (acluvideos)

This case involves a challenge to patents on two human genes known as BRCA1 and BRCA2. Mutations in those genes correlate with an increased risk of breast and ovarian cancer. On behalf of a large coalition of research scientists, patients, and patient advocacy groups, we have argued that human genes cannot be patented because they are classic products of nature.

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (PTO) has granted thousands of patents on human genes – in fact, about 20 percent of our genes are patented. A gene patent holder has the right to prevent anyone from studying, testing or even looking at a gene. As a result, scientific research and genetic testing has been delayed, limited or even shut down due to concerns about gene patents.

Check it out at ACLU.org

We invite you to add your charity or supporting organizations' news stories and coming events to PVAngels so we can share them with the world. Do it now!