20 percent of genes already patented. This is so fucked up and yet so expected of our disgusting greedy part of humanity.

Indeed, and the thought that much of this research was publicly funded is infuriating.

Patent laws need a SERIOUS overhaul if this bullshit is going to be allowed. *talks

Adding video to channels (Talks) - requested by kronosposeidon.

Uh, prior art?

I agree patents are kind of stupid when you think about it does is not slow down progress? And isnt America the only one that has to obey its patent laws? How can you patent something that is natural I mean are we going to start patenting water and air??? Does this make any sense?

It's fucking ridiculous to let anybody patent anything that is found in nature.

I doubt this will hold up in court, but it is interesting to look into what can and cannot be patented.

For instance, if you modify an organism genetically to create one that does not exist in nature then you can patent it. Also, if you develop a method for extracting and purifying a compound from a plant for a new medication then you can patent that drug.

Genes are different though. You can't patent the human heart or brain (I think), but here we're talking about extracting and cleaning up a portion of the human genome for use in testing new drugs, among other things.

I don't think people should be able to patent parts of the genome, but I don't know enough about the entire process to form an educated opinion. I look forward to seeing how litigation over this practice will turn out.