Myriad case: human genes cannot be patented, rules US apex court

Judgement will boost research to find better methods for diagnosis of gene mutations and associated health risks, say scientists
Myriad case: human genes cannot be patented, rules US apex court

In landmark decision, the US Supreme Court on Thursday ruled that human genes may not be patented as it is a product of nature. However, synthetically created genes or DNA (cDNA) could be patented, said the court.

The Supreme court gave this judgement in the Myriad case. Myriad Genetics Inc, the respondent in the case, discovered the precise location and sequence of two human genes (BRCA1 and BRCA2), mutations of which can substantially increase the risks of breast and ovarian cancer.

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