A controversy like no other is exploding onto the screen as science becomes a part of our households! Scientist continue to push the boundaries of science further and further. Now, scientists and researchers alike are patenting genes that have been discovered in the human genome. It is estimated that one fifth of our genes belong to someone else!1
Most people wonder why you would patent a part of the human body, however it does have a scientific purposed proposed acceptable by some. Some scientist believe that the patents are an incentive for their research efforts, and their money gained from the patents could go towards furthering their research. Others believe it reduces the amount of wasted research done by providing evidence of what genes have already been discovered. Still others say that secrecy will be reduced between competitors. The patents allow other scientists access to the new information, as well. There are many reasons a gene could be patented.2
There is controversy over the patenting of genes, however. Patents remain secret until granted, therefore scientist unknowingly working on the same project could be forced to pay hefty licensing fees and possibly infringement penalties. Research on some parts of genetics could become limited due to the high cost of licensing. Still, some argue that by patenting a gene the government is allowing one organism to own part or all of another organism, which seems unethical to them. The debate on gene patenting rages on!3
With that said, what is gene patenting exactly? Wikipedia.org defines gene patenting as, “a patent on a specific gene sequence, its usage, and often its chemical composition.” The United States has been granting patents on “chemical compositions based upon human extractions” for approximately one hundred years! Three million gene related patents have been applied for in simply the United States. This is sure to be a long war, and the first battles are just starting!
Author notes
*This essay was inspired by the novel "Next" by Michael Crichton.
Bibliography ::
"Genetics and Patenting." Human Genome Project Information. 16 September 2008. 11 Apr 2009 .
"Gene Patent." Wikipedia. 31 March 2009. 11 Apr 2009.
Other ::
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Comments
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Aha! The first thing that came into my mind when reading this was Michael Crichton. Brillian man... i really don't have much to say on this topic... It is an interesting subject though. Thanks for sharing.
Bret -
I would Patent my own Genes i got great Genes. A huge problem is people with bad genes are ore likely to have have more kids then me. Breeding programs are good to help our gene pool. But not in the creepy master race junk the Nazi's did. Abotu 30 years after the found al the kids born into it they found there must lower then most humans...lol. Oh and blond hair bue eyes are dieing out!
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Interesting essay here and thank you for entering it in the contest
There are few small points I'd like to make where I saw slight errors and I hope you don't mind:
Scientist continue to push the boundaries of science further and further. (p1)
Scientists
Most people wonder why you would patent a part of the human body, however it does have a scientific purposed proposed acceptable by some. (p2)
change the comma after body to a semi-colon. comma after however.
Some scientist believe that the patents are an incentive for their research efforts, and their money gained from the patents could go towards furthering their research. (p2)
scientists
There is controversy over the patenting of genes, however. (p3)
I think 'however' should be at the beginning or at the middle of a sentence- not an ending. I would suggest rewording this beginning with however instead. Or replace the however with 'though' at the end.
Patents remain secret until granted, therefore scientist unknowingly working on the same project could be forced to pay hefty licensing fees and possibly infringement penalties. (p3)
scientists
Overall, I thought this was an interesting and entertaining article. Certainly makes me curious to know more about this gene patening controversy or if it is just all conspiracy theory. Thanks once again for entering the contest
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