How can human attributes be deemed corporate property?
Patents on genes do just that, yet the Australian government continues to grant them every year. To date, about 15,000 patents on human genes have been granted around the world, including genes linked to cystic fibrosis, hearing loss, hereditary haemochromatosis, long QT syndrome, Tay-Sachs and Alzheimer’s disease. Among the most high-profile victims of inappropriate patents are women at risk, or suffering from, hereditary breast or ovarian cancer. Myriad Genetics has patents on two of the genes that predict such cancers. Their proprietary control means scientists must seek Myriad’s permission to use the genes in studies designed to understand the cancers and to develop effective cures. Myriad has also used its monopolistic control to prevent women getting tested, to find out whether they carry the gene, in non-Myriad laboratories. In America, this meant that sick women could either pay the company’s exorbitantly high fee for the test or go without. In Australia, with our public health
