Australian Patent Lawyers Claim Patenting Genes Is Necessary For Biomedical Research
from the patenting-nature dept
Here in the US, there's an important legal battle going on over whether or not you can patent genes. Not surprisingly, we're very much against such a system, which gives a total monopoly to certain companies on doing certain types of genetic testing. It also makes no sense at all, as patents are supposed to be about promoting invention -- not finding something in nature that others can also find. Down in Australia, however, there's a similar debate going on, but in the legislative branch, rather than the judicial. Reader sinsi alerts us to the news of a recent panel discussion in Australia where a bunch of patent attorneys predicted the virtual collapse of the biotech industry in Australia if firms weren't able to patent genes.This is, of course, ridiculous. First of all, much of the research on these things is often done via government and university funding -- and it's often done for reasons other than locking up a monopoly on the technique. Reasons such as helping people live better lives (*gasp* -- what a concept!). Or, more to the point, it's done so that firms can sell an actual product. If they have to compete in the marketplace, that's a good thing, as it pushes them to be more efficient and offer a better overall service, rather than just jacking up prices. And how do they offer a better overall service? Oh yeah, often by continuing to do more research and creating new breakthroughs.
These sorts of claims of industries collapsing are moral panics and folk devils put forth by patent attorneys who are really afraid that it's going to hurt their own business. There's simply no evidence at all that it harms the overall biomedical profession if they can't patent the finding of naturally occurring genes.
Thank you for reading this Techdirt post. With so many things competing for everyone’s attention these days, we really appreciate you giving us your time. We work hard every day to put quality content out there for our community.
Techdirt is one of the few remaining truly independent media outlets. We do not have a giant corporation behind us, and we rely heavily on our community to support us, in an age when advertisers are increasingly uninterested in sponsoring small, independent sites — especially a site like ours that is unwilling to pull punches in its reporting and analysis.
While other websites have resorted to paywalls, registration requirements, and increasingly annoying/intrusive advertising, we have always kept Techdirt open and available to anyone. But in order to continue doing so, we need your support. We offer a variety of ways for our readers to support us, from direct donations to special subscriptions and cool merchandise — and every little bit helps. Thank you.
–The Techdirt Team
Filed Under: australia, gene patents, patents
Reader Comments
Subscribe: RSS
View by: Time | Thread
attorney
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
I'm OK with gene patents
Myriad Genetics (Utah Company), according to my previous statements I believe you to have heartlessly and brutally murdered thousands of women with your invention of genes causing breast cancer.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: I'm OK with gene patents
What if instead of people doing the due diligence it's a supercomputer?
Why would you treat genes the same way you would a piece of artistic human expression?
"Genes are property! My property! I found them, so you can't use them! Without paying up!"
Good luck in the future! You're going to need it.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Why should I donate?
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Some of each
Some are just for sequencing something that was already there, then claiming that they made an invention because they just invented a way to identify what they just found.
Although the first has lead to the Monsanto near-monopoly on seeds, it at least in principle is consistent with the spirit of the patent laws. The second is a crockery of feces, and currently under review.
To the point, the Australian lawyers might have a point. If other countries allow gene patents of the second kind but
Australia doesn't, it makes Australia a not very good place to put venture capital. Lowest standard of decency always wins.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Any examples of a naturally occuring gene being patented without other limitations recited in the claims?
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re:
http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/05/13/genes.patent.myriad/index.html
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re:
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re:
My question still stands since I have never seen a patent issued on a gene, per se.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: Re:
Here is an example.
http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20091102/2114366770.shtml
But of course you insist on being ignorant, deceiving, and dishonest.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: Re:
http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20090513/0051434857.shtml
http://www.wired.com/threatlevel /2009/11/genes/
20 percent of the human genome is patented and you still deny it because you're a blatant liar.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: Re: Re:
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2005/10/1013_051013_gene_patent.html
But you're such deluded liar that you've even deluded yourself. You insist that despite the fact that STUDIES SHOW 20 percent of the genome is patented, ZERO GENES ARE PATENTED. SERIOUSLY, WHAT THE HECK IS WRONG WITH YOU. The blatant insistent dishonesty from intellectual property maximists is amazing. How the heck do you think that ANYONE here or ANYWHERE actually believes your lies? Honestly, are you so used to being able to get away with lies on mainstream media that you insist on continuing to try despite the fact that it's clearly not working? The mark of insanity is trying the same thing over expecting different results. YOUR LIES AREN'T WORKING, TRY SOMETHING ELSE.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: Re: Re: Re:
Of course, it also helps to read decisions issued by the CAFC and the Supreme Court, in which case you would likely and quickly realize that what you have been reading to date bears virtually no resemblance to reality.
Until you do this your rants that one is "lying" will continue to fall on deaf ears. Say something substantive and accurate for a change, and an actual and informed discussion might actually take place.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re:
No, they are providing studies on gene patents and you are ignoring those studies because you're dishonest.
"Of course, it also helps to read decisions issued by the CAFC and the Supreme Court"
The point is that patents were issued on these genes, even if the courts overturned them. The mere threat of a lawsuit is enough to hinder innovation and the use of genes because lawsuits are expensive. And the patent office issuing patents on genes gives an excuse to file a lawsuit.
"Of course, it also helps to read decisions issued by the CAFC and the Supreme Court, in which case you would likely and quickly realize that what you have been reading to date bears virtually no resemblance to reality."
Please provide some evidence. SOME evidence. SOMETHING. You haven't provided any. Instead you make things up and say that your own word is evidence. I provide evidence, studies, examples, etc... and you provide absolutely nothing but your own lies.
"Until you do this your rants that one is "lying" will continue to fall on deaf ears."
Except you still haven't substantiated anything you said. Substantiate.
"Say something substantive and accurate for a change, and an actual and informed discussion might actually take place."
Substantiate your assertions with evidence instead of mere assertions and stop ignoring the evidence and maybe people would take you seriously.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re:
http://www.ornl.gov/sci/techresources/Human_Genome/elsi/patents.shtml#2
It's very clear, this is even a gov website, that (naturally occurring) genetic sequences are in fact patentable and have in fact been patented. But you insist on defending your lies.
Also see
http://www.stn-international.com/usgene.html
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re:
It is easy to talk in generalities, but mine is a very simple and specific question asking merely for one data point.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re:
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re:
http://www.aclu.org/technology-and-liberty/gene-patents
though I'm sure that won't convince you but it's for everyone who isn't as dishonest as you. and these are NATURALLY OCCURRING genetic sequences, they're human genetic sequences, that is, genetic sequences that have been found naturally occurring in the human genome.
But feel free to ignore the facts and provide zero evidence supporting your side. I provide lots of evidence, you insist on defending your lies and provide nothing.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re:
http://www.nature.com/nrg/journal/v1/n3/box/nrg1200_227a_BX1.html
Even Nature admits that NATURALLY OCCURRING genetic sequences are patentable and have been patented, that is any use of these genetic sequences by scientists would be infringement. These aren't engineered sequences that aren't occurring in nature, they're merely ISOLATED (read) from EXISTING NATURALLY OCCURRING sequences. That is they are naturally occurring sequences.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re:
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re:
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re:
Naturally occurring genetic sequences are being patented. The use of those gene sequences anywhere is being patented. Naturally occurring genes are being patented. Same thing.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re:
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re:
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re:
Why not try to answer the question before launching off on a silly tangent?
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: Re:
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: Re:
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: Re: Re:
Or are you just venting?
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: Re: Re: Re:
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re:
(from the above link)
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Shouldn't genetic sequences fall under Copyright?
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Here is the key word here, this is the opinion of LAWYERS, not the opinion of SCIENTISTS in relevant fields. I DO NOT CARE WHAT THE LAWYERS THINK HERE, especially when they have a conflict of interest and more patents means more money for them.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
The product, not the gene
While we have the genetic code deciphered for humans (and many animals) there is far to little research out there pertaining to what these genes do.
If after 3-4 years of research on a gene or gene cluster, a potent protein that can cure a disease is discovered and proven to be a viable therapeutic, I see no reason why it should not be covered by patent laws for a set period of time.
However, to many people and companies (and Universities) started patenting 1,000's of genes, even though they have NO IDEA what they do. If you or I later start researching one of these genes, and its determined that it produces a valuable protein, well, the original patent holder gets all the credit/return. Most of the time you don't even know that the gene is patented.
The notion that it is 'natural' means nothing however - most (vast majority) of pharmaceuticals are natural or naturally derived.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: The product, not the gene
I do not think they should be patented. No one should have a monopoly on it, we should try to innovate without patents and innovation is perfectly OK without patents.
"While we have the genetic code deciphered for humans (and many animals) there is far to little research out there pertaining to what these genes do."
That's because everything was going fine until patents came along and started taking over genes. Now everyone is afraid to figure out what these proteins do because the genetic code that creates them is patented. No, patents only get in the way of this sort of innovation, you want to innovate remove patents.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Patenting the obvious
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Patenting the obvious
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
nonsense
That is always the case with all inventions. The point is that without the promise of patent protection no one or few will make the effort to find new discoveries.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: nonsense
I always find this argument amusing, because it's empirically false. We've seen societies without patent protection, and their growth rates and innovation rates exceed other areas. So, yes, they do discover plenty of new things, and they make plenty of money by actually selling things.
The problem occurs when patent lawyers and those, such as "staff3" above, think that the only way to make money is to hold hostage companies who actually innovate.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: nonsense
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: Re: nonsense
Tell that to the women who can not get a second opinion or a test from anyone other than Myriad Genetics for BRCA1 and BRCA2. I think that the impact is pretty major on them.
Or do you not think that those women's plights are "meaningful"?
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: Re: Re: nonsense
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: nonsense
So you ignore the fact that you are wrong because it just doesn't seem important to you that people may be dying?
You are a sick, sick individual.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: nonsense
The question remains unanswered, despite the efforts of those who may feel that references to non-technical media conclusively demonstrate their position.
I am not aware of any such patent, but then again I have never had occasion to work within the field of biotech.
For those concerned with BRCA1 and BRCA2 testing, the following may help answer many questions:
http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Risk/BRCA
Importantly, the test is not a diagnostic tool. It is a quasi-predictive tool that may assist in identifying if an individual has a higher risk for certain cancers than the general population in which BRCA1 and/or BRCA2 mutations are not present. Moreover, it is my understanding (though I am open to correction if I am mistaken) that the Myriad laboratory in Utah practices a specific method, but that other labs are available to practice other methods relating to detection of the mutations.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: nonsense
That's obviously absolutely false with respect to mathematics, literature, software, and many other things were there is a huge human desire to participate in trying to be the first to create something or something the best. Success in all of these (and even failure) additionally can result in the bills getting paid.
With respect to drugs and other products or services related to gene research, I think there is absolutely no shortage of people willing to do the research. I also think there is no shortage of companies willing to manufacture and sell the drugs (just look at the generics industry as well as related natural health industries). There is a huge demand for the products and services. Humans need their periodic oil changes.
In terms of getting money to those that want to do the research, academic institutions, government grants, and numerous private sector sources have always been available for this. Those already participating have an incentive to invest some of their profits in research or look for partnerships.
Increased affordable computing power and do-it-yourself kits are allowing many people to participate (distribute costs and risks.. and rewards).
In any case, there are alternatives to a full monopoly grant for 20 years that would do less harm. Consider 5 years or instead of a monopoly, a guaranteed X% marketshare.
Without patents there will be some losses, of course. These will include the huge industry of overpriced goods and services that exists because of the patents. Some people would have to take a pay cut. Additionally, multi-billion dollar profits per quarter left and right will also have to be diminished.
On the plus side, discoveries should be faster since blocking off development in a field to a single player is never efficient as long as you have a healthy number willing and able to carry out the same work.
There are many organizations that would fund this research. You just wouldn't have a small few spending huge dollars trying to grab all the patents for themselves. Instead, you'd have more sharing and distributed costs and risks.
Patents lead to a great many inefficiencies all over the place. That is what happens when you give away monopolies. Just look at how vague are most patent claims. People are laying claim to things they hardly understand.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Yet another iteration of the most basic legal argument...
Go over to Ars Technica and read the following:
http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/news/2009/11/hollywood-wants-to-own-your-outputs-an d-thats-a-good-idea.ars
It's the same shizzz. If we don't get what we want, we're not gonna do it at all.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Yet another iteration of the most basic legal argument...
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Yet another iteration of the most basic legal argument...
"If you don't raise my allowance I'm not going to do my chores."
And our government makes very bad parents because they will give these children anything they want.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
http://www.boingboing.net/2009/05/14/aclu-fights-gene-pat.html
It is interesting how scientists seem to be against patents but it's the LAWYERS that seem to be for them. Those who invent (scientists) are against them but those who profit from the inventions of others (lawyers) are for them. And then our broken government almost unanimously listens to those who don't invent but instead they listen to those who profit from the inventions of others (ie: intellectual property rights last WAY too long and look at how many patents are out there).
[ link to this | view in chronology ]