ACMG believes that patenting of genes, and especially the restrictive licensing practices that limit testing to a single laboratory, stand in the way of good medical care, interfere with informed decision-making by patients, impede training of the next generation of genetics laboratory professionals, and restrict the flow of information that will add to medical knowledge. Furthermore, it is a major impediment to harvesting the vast potential of the sequencing of the human genome, which increasingly is making it possible to simultaneously study large collections of genes instead of individual genes one at a time.
"Gene patenting creates an obstacle course that will make true genomic analysis not only cost-prohibitive, but impossible, given that no single laboratory will ever own the rights to offer comprehensive testing," concluded Bruce R. Korf, MD, PhD, FACMG, president of the American College of Medical Genetics
For more information on the BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene patent case, visit: www.aclu.org/brca.
About the American College of Medical Genetics
Founded in 1991, the American College of Medical Genetics (www.acmg.net) is the national non-profit professional organization that advances the practice of medical genetics by providing education, resources and a voice for more than 1400 biochemical, clinical, cytogenetic, medical and molecular geneticists, genetic counselors and other health care professionals committed to the practice of medical genetics. ACMG's activities include the development of laboratory and practice
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