The US Supreme Court agreed to consider whether human genes can
be patented in an issue that has split the medical community and
will shape the future of personalised health care and the
biotechnology industry. The justices have said they will hear a
challenge to Myriad Genetics' patents on genetic material used
in tests for breast and ovarian cancer. Doctors, researchers and
patients are opposing the patents, arguing that Myriad's
monopoly over the genes is blocking clinical testing and
research. "Myriad and other gene patent holders have gained the
right to exclude the rest of the scientific community from
examining the naturally occurring genes of every person in the
United States," the group argued in its appeal, filed by the
American Civil Liberties Union. Biotechnology companies say they
have been getting patents on genes for 30 years - and can't
attract investment dollars unless they can protect their
research from competitors. A study published in 2005 by Science
magazine found that 20 per cent of hum