Gene Patent Argumentative Essay

Gene patents have been a controversial issue ever since the United States Patent Office began to grant patents for human genes. Those who protest gene patents argue that they will impede research and negatively affect the medical field. Supporters of the patents suggest that they will help propel the field to new heights by harboring innovation through the pricing power that comes with patenting. Michael Crichton in an article titled “Patenting Life” and John E. Calfee in his article “Decoding the Use of Gene Patents” discuss the implications that gene patents pose to the economy, research, and the medical field. Crichton believes that gene patents will cause prices for gene testing to increase dramatically, hinder research on important aspects
Calfee refutes the arguments of people like Crichton and argues that the costs of gene tests are not more expensive as a result of patents. He provides proof by quoting the scientific journal Nature as saying “prices of patented and exclusively licensed test are not dramatically or consistently higher than those of tests without a monopoly” (Calfee 445). Concerning the argument of higher priced gene tests, Calfee concludes that this argument against patents should be viewed with
Calfee believes that gene patents are no different from other forms of patents in different fields of industry, therefore they should have the same impact on the medical and biotech fields as any other field. Calfee presents his argument from a strictly economic standpoint stating that “like most economists I support the granting of patents and their consequent pricing power as a tool to foster innovation.” (Calfee 444). Calfee essentially believes that gene patents will work just like every other kind of patent, whereas Crichton believes that the absence of patents is the true key to innovation since gene tests can be administered royalty free thus helping to create personalized medication and treatments for