Prompt Cast
Rise and Fall of Gene Patents in the Biotech Industry
TLDR Gene patents, led by Myriad Genetics, sparked a genetic gold rush and monopolized the market for cancer gene testing, but faced criticism for lack of second opinions and false security. The Supreme Court's ruling against gene patenting invalidated thousands of patents, allowing for more affordable testing and research on previously patented genes.
Timestamped Summary
00:00
Companies were patenting human genes, leading to a legal battle against gene patenting, with Myriad Genetics as a key player.
03:33
The rise of gene patents led to nearly 20% of human genes being claimed as private property, sparking a genetic gold rush and a race to find the BRCA gene responsible for inherited breast and ovarian cancer.
06:56
Myriad's race to find the BRCA gene led to the development of a premium cancer gene test, a patent filing, and the creation of a monopoly through cease and desist orders and a marketing campaign aimed at driving up demand.
10:20
Myriad Genetics faced criticism for aggressively patenting the BRCA gene, leading to concerns about false security from their tests, lack of second opinions, and monopolizing the market for cancer gene testing.
13:42
The lawsuit against Myriad Genetics challenged the fundamental issue of whether genes could be patented, arguing that the company did not invent anything but rather found something that already existed in nature.
17:21
The debate in court revolves around whether isolating genes is a human invention like sculpting a baseball bat from a tree, raising questions about incentivizing gene discovery within the patent system.
20:48
The Supreme Court ruled that isolating human genes is not an act of invention and invalidated thousands of gene patents, allowing for more affordable testing and research on previously patented genes.
