Gene Patents and Legal Challenges

In 2005, a science advisor at the ACLU, feeling stuck, discussed gene patents with a colleague. They discovered that patents on human genes were problematic, restricting research and harming patients. They decided to challenge these patents, focusing on Myriad Genetics, which held patents on BRCA genes. The case was built with a coalition of experts and plaintiffs. After a lengthy legal battle, the Supreme Court ruled unanimously that naturally occurring DNA cannot be patented, ending a 25-year practice and opening the door for more accessible genetic testing.

What was the main issue the narrator wanted the ACLU to address more significantly?

• Space exploration

• Cybersecurity

• Gene patents

• Climate change

What is the primary controversy surrounding isolated DNA in gene patents?

• It is a new invention

• It is a product of nature

• It is a synthetic material

• It is a digital code

Why was it difficult to challenge gene patents legally?

• No legal precedents

• Strong support from the biotech industry

• Lack of scientific evidence

• Public disinterest

Which company was identified as the prime candidate to sue over gene patents?

• Genentech

• Pfizer

• Myriad Genetics

• Novartis

What was one of the major challenges in preparing the case against Myriad Genetics?

• Finding enough plaintiffs

• Communicating the science effectively

• Gaining media attention

• Raising funds for the lawsuit

How did the narrator describe the process of isolating DNA in the context of patent eligibility?

• As creating a new chemical

• As a natural process

• As extracting gold from a mountain

• As synthesizing a new compound

What was the Supreme Court's decision regarding the patentability of human genes?

• Human genes are patentable

• Isolated DNA is patentable

• Human genes are not patentable

• Only synthetic genes are patentable

What was the immediate impact of the Supreme Court's decision on BRCA gene testing?

• Increased testing costs

• Multiple labs began offering tests

• Testing was banned

• Limited testing availability

What was the reaction of the US government during the appeal process?

• It switched sides to oppose gene patents

• It withdrew from the case

• It remained neutral

• It supported Myriad Genetics

What metaphor did Justice Sotomayor use to describe isolated DNA?

• A new invention

• A synthetic creation

• Just nature sitting there

• A digital code