What's Next For Gene Patenting?
DNA Oak Ridge National Laboratory We take a look at how yesterday's Supreme Court ruling affects risk testing for breast cancer. Plus, this isn't the last word for gene patenting. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled yesterday on a landmark genetics case, involving the company that previously offered the only test in the world for two major genetic mutations that affect women's risk of getting hereditary breast cancer. The ruling found a middle ground, saying that Myriad Genetics, which is based in Utah, can't actually patent the naturally occurring genes BRCA1 and BRCA2. At the same time, Myriad can keep its patents on synthetic versions of the genes that it's created. What'll happen now? We've got a few answers below. Or you can brush up on the basics here and here. Will this make genetic testing for breast cancer cheaper? Yes, it probably will. Before this ruling, Myriad Genetics said it had the exclusive right...