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Battle Over Gene Patents

Photo: ACLU
Dr. Harry Ostrer, Professor of Pediatrics, Pathology and Medicine and Director of the Human Genetics Program at New York University School of Medicine and a plaintiff in the lawsuit challenging gene patents.
Photo: ACLU

By Kim Shuske

http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kuer/local-kuer-863230.mp3

Salt Lake City, UT – The first arguments are being heard today in a case that has broad implications for genetic research, drug makers, and patent holders. Salt Lake City based company Myriad Genetics is being sued by the American Civil Liberties Union which claims it unconstitutionally patented high-risk breast cancer genes, thus preventing other researchers from studying them. The lawsuit was filed on behalf of four scientific organizations representing more than 150,000 geneticists, researchers, and women with breast cancer. Kim Schuske reports. (Sheri Quinn was a contributing reporter for this story.)

American Civil Liberties Union webpage on gene patent lawsuit

Myriad Genetics corporate website

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