The Pros And Cons Of Gene Patenting Human Genes

Patenting human genes has been a fairly recent topic of debate in the field of genetics. People have strong opinions whether it is right to patent genes or not. Gene patenting is claiming the rights to a specific sequence of DNA. Patents have been around for over 400 years but thoughts of patenting genes have only come up in the last couple decades. The first patents for human genes came up in the 1970’s, but it really started becoming common in the 1980’s when genetics technologies were being explored more. Since then there have been thousands of genes that have been patented. Several court cases have come up discussing whether it is right to patent these genes. The act of patenting human genes is wrong as it impedes research, takes away

It stops researchers from being able to access the entire gene, “20 percent of human genes are patented and that this constitutes a road block to newer genetic technologies, such as testing based on whole genome sequencing” (Bailey, 2013). It causes competition with other companies, “The proliferation of patent rights directed to genetic material has been postulated to contribute to a phenomenon where competing patent rights, held by independent parties, prevent any one party from engaging in productive innovation” (Pavane, 2010). Human genes should be fully accessible, “The plaintiffs further claim that gene patents undermine the free exchange of information, and thereby prevent or delay potential medical discoveries” (Mayes, 2013). Patenting human genes cause research to slow down as it doesn’t provide free information, it allows you to see the entire sequence, and there are disputes between

It causes patients to have less accessible treatment, “Ultimately, the end of Myriad’s monopoly should improve access to genetic testing and rapid turnaround of results by driving down price—DNATraits, for example, will charge less than $1,000—and expanding capacity for analyzing samples” (Kesselheim, 2013). Companies have gene secrets, “However, not only patent thickets but also singular patents can throw up a roadblock in the field of molecular diagnostics. Only a few gene patents have direct impact on diagnostic testing, but their scope of protection and exclusive manner of out-licensing is a point of concern” (Berthels, 2011). They can profit off them, “Myriad has a monopoly on BRCA genetic testing in the U.S. and therefore controls the type and price of testing. While scientists have developed new genetic testing technologies that can sequence all 23,000 human genes for $1,000, Myriad still charges over $4,000 for testing two genes” (Park, 2013). Patents on human genes allow companies take advantage of people by keeping secrets, having less accessible genetic tests, and raising prices for