Association of Molecular Pathology vs. Myriad Genetics: Gene Patenting Case Decided Today

Impact

SCOTUS rules that natural isolated DNA is not patentable. But synthetic DNA is. Why? Amy Howe via SCOTUS blog says:

 

The court voted unanimously on this decision, meaning that Myriad Genetic's claim to the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes -- genes which indicate a predisposition to breast and ovarian cancer -- is invalid. Myriad Genetics had argued that it was the only company with proper technology to research these genes. Yet Myriad's critics believe that had they won the case its patents would "limit access to the information, preventing other researchers from using the material for further innovations that could lead to cheaper testing and even a cure."