Preview

4 Ways Gene Patent Ruling Affects You

Satisfactory Essays
Open Document
Open Document
381 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
4 Ways Gene Patent Ruling Affects You
4 Ways the Gene Patent Ruling Affects You This article explains what gene patenting is, Myriad Genetics and its role in gene patents, and how gene patents affect patients everywhere. It also states how when a gene is patented, it limits genetic research on the particular gene. The main argument in the article is research pertaining to two genes, BRCA1 and BRCA2, genes strongly associated to breast and ovarian cancer risk. By patenting these two genes, Myriad has almost complete control over all the research and testing done with BRCA1 and BRCA2. Myriad charges around $3,000 to use their test, which is the only test a patient can take to test for mutations in these genes. Since this is the only test available, it is not possible to get a second opinion, which could potentially lead to misdiagnosis and possibly death. Myriad Genetics is even able to overprice their tests since there is no competition. It seems clear that gene patenting does not have a positive effect on the population. This article is completely relevant to society. Women everywhere want to get tested for mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes. The possibility of misdiagnosis is too high with only one possible test. Patients end up spending way more than they should for a test that often is not covered by insurance. Gene patenting can also greatly affect us in the long run if more and more genes become patented. It limits the ability for other scientists to research and learn more about the genes and also means we can end up overpaying for every type of test in the future. One particular thing that the article did not explain is the rules of gene patenting. Myriad argues that it does not interfere or limit further scientific testing on a gene. If this is so, why do so many scientists cease their research on a gene once it is patented? Another aspect I did not understand is why there is not a way to get a second opinion for a test of a patented gene. It should be up to the patient to decide what

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Satisfactory Essays

    In “Building Baby from the Genes Up” Ronald M. Green discusses the ethics of modern genetics. The author states in the article that it is nearly certain that gene technology will be present in the future of humanity. Green begins the article by recounting the story of a couple that wanted to eliminate the high occurrence of breast cancer from their family. To do this, they decided that they would use genetic diagnosis to select only embryos without the gene that may predispose someone to breast cancer.…

    • 312 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    The significant resource that led to Genentech 's competitive advantage was culture. This culture was instilled by it 's founding partners Robert Swanson and Herbert Boyer. In this culture R&D focused on applying leading edge scientific knowledge to discover and develop best-in-class medicines. The culture of "individual creativity and initiative," helped to establish a reputation that attracted some of the best scientists in the world who were encouraged not only to work on projects associated with the companies goals, but also to work on projects that piqued their own interests. The overall culture led to a highly productive environment labeled by insiders as "casual intensity."…

    • 1095 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    What are some of the risks and benefits of genetic testing as it relates to legal (not medical) issues?…

    • 825 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    The author, Yann Joly, supports their argument against legislation to protect genetic rights with three main points. The first point that the article mentions is that genetic discrimination cannot be “accurately described as a widespread practice within the life-insurance industry.” The author supports this with the fact that the practice of genetic discrimination has been found only in the context of Huntington’s disease, this being discovered after more than twenty years of trying to document genetic discrimination. The author also argues that “separating genetic information from other types of health information in law could promote the erroneous belief that most genes are the sole causes of disease.” In the opinion of the author, this could promote the…

    • 876 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    In today’s society where scientific research is ever present. do individual companies and other groups have a right to lay claim to individual genes in the human body, or is the practice of patenting genes a bad idea? In his work entitled “Patenting Life,” famed author Michael Crichton uses several illustrations of why he believes the practice of issuing patents on human genes is not only a bad idea, but goes against common sense. Saying “you cannot patent snow, eagles, or gravity, and you shouldn’t be able to patent genes, either” (Crichton 442). Crichton compares “owning” a patent on a gene to some of the most majestic things one can observe in nature. The powerful visuals offered in that statement calls to the reader a clear and firm comprehension of how passionately Crichton feels about the topic of gene patents. His comparison to genes and other things in nature captures the reader’s attention firmly as he begins to build his case against patenting genes.…

    • 1006 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    anthro 102 assignment 1

    • 562 Words
    • 2 Pages

    One possible ethical issue involved with genetic testing would be that it leads to early intervention in the pregnancy. Once the mother finds out if their child has a deadly disease or some other undesired trait, this may lead them to want to abort their child. Ethically speaking, many people don’t find abortions morally right and knowing early on whether or not their child has a bad gene could cause a lot of distraught for the mom and her decision to abort or keep the child.…

    • 562 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Crichton Vs Calfee

    • 756 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Crichton clearly shows his stance on the topic simply talking about two congressmen who want to end the practice “Xavier Becerra, a Democrat of California, and Dave Weldon, a Republican of Florida, sponsored the Genomic Research and Accessibility Act, to ban the practice pd patenting genes found in nature.” (442). It is safe to assume if were up to Crichton himself he would end the practice altogether. As mentioned before Calfee does not see it that way at all, in fact against all opposition he states “On the whole, though, gene patents are turning out to work more or less the way patents are supposed to work and have been working for a couple of centuries and more. The research process, and ultimately patients, are the beneficiaries.”…

    • 756 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    The Human Genome project, a revolutionary study that spanned over 13 years, hoped to discover more about the DNA of humans. The study's main goal was to provide new information to help with the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of genetic disorders. From the substantial amount of information and knowledge acquired from the project, new ways to test for genetic disorders, and the probabilities of inheriting disorders was gained. Gene testing, which involved taking a sample of a persons DNA, helped screen for a number of different disorders and problems. Before genetic testing, couples at risk of conceiving a child with a particular genetic disorder would have to initiate the pregnancy and then undergo the testing, faced with the dilemma of terminating the birth if the results weren't good. But because of the new technology available, with the combined effort of IVF, sperm and egg cells can be removed from both individuals, and the eggs would then be fertilized within a laboratory. The embryo's would then be tested for genetic mutations,…

    • 701 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    In the last century, there have been a number of discoveries regarding the treatment of human disease and genetic conditions. The current on-going research is in the field of gene therapy, an experimental technique that uses genes to treat and replace the defective genes of an affected person. Instead of treating disease symptoms, this has the potential to correct the underlying cause (1). Besides its high costs and ethical concerns (therapy involving germ line treatment), this technique also poses a considerable amount of risk. Thus, gene therapy is currently only being tested on the diseases for which there is no cure. This article shall look primarily into cystic fibrosis, as well as X-linked severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID), as examples to describe the potential of gene therapy in medicine.…

    • 1111 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    If there are any serious imperfections in the gene code, then it is highly likely that a mutation has occurred to the BRCA1 gene, and the patient is informed as such (Healthwise: 2011). However, this highly invasive test can cause extreme anxiety and, if every medical practitioner notified relatives if cancer patients so that genetic testing could be conducted, many of the relatives of these cancer patients would suffer further anxiety, while additional financial strain would be placed on the already limited resources…

    • 2057 Words
    • 9 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    Genetic testing is being used in the medical field to decrease dangers in patients. The negative connotations brought by these examinations might be the reason a person, whom may have had great talents, will lower their capacity to excel. Insurance companies grant pensions and healthcare, consequently if a person were to be diagnosed even with a minimal chance of cancer by…

    • 478 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    From a patient’s perspective, people tend to see genetic information as more definitive, in the sense that 'you cannot change your genes' and that 'genes tell all about your future.’ Such genetic determinism is an oversimplification and does not take into account the nature of biologic pathways. From a provider’s perspective, genomics presents challenges with respect to ethical and professional responsibilities, including the appropriate use of genomic information in the health care setting. I believe that there should be an identification of provider education programs that increase use of appropriate screening, counseling and evidence-based genetic tests. By increasing the effectiveness of genomic testing, it will help dissolve the negative association and further increase the proportion of people who are willing to receive genetic…

    • 463 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Biology

    • 696 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Genetic testing can cause either a feeling of relief or anxiety, depending on the outcome of the test results. Ultimately, testing provides individuals with an opportunity to seek genetic counselling so that the risk of inheriting a genetic disease may be reduced. Testing can lessen the anxiety of not knowing the possibility of developing a disease and provide a tremendous sense of relief once a definitive test result is given. An individual who chooses to undergo testing has the opportunity to seek medical help, prepare for, and possibly help prevent, a genetically caused condition. Testing can help people to make more informed decisions about their future.…

    • 696 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    As research continues to uncover new disease-causing mutations, the prospect of stopping the transmission of heritable diseases increases. With the use of modern technology, expecting parents can now be prescreened in order to determine their carrier status for certain diseases. Parents who choose to use in vitro fertilization are able to choose embryos that are free of disease due to preimplantation genetic diagnosis. Additionally, parents can be provided with information on their unborn child with the use of prenatal genetic testing. Some individuals view modern genetic technology as eugenic; however, this biggest difference between eugenics now and eugenics during the 1900s is consent. Today individuals pursue genetic testing by choice and policies on ethics and consent prevent reoccurrences of the immoral endeavors within the field of…

    • 585 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Despite rapid scientific progress, many people of the public feel somewhat excluded from the debate surrounding the application of science in new technologies and products. Moreover, as scientific progress becomes increasingly fundamental to society, it is becoming equally difficult to stop it from clashing with long-held ethical values. One common and long standing debate is gene therapy. In 2005, a public survey was conducted to see people’s attitudes towards human gene therapy and while 82% stated that they would accept somatic therapy for major illnesses like heart disease, only 64% supported…

    • 479 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays

Related Topics