By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
  • Health
    • Mental Health
    Health
    Healthcare organizations are operating on slimmer profit margins than ever. One report in August showed that they are even lower than the beginning of the…
    Show More
    Top News
    stress management for healthcare workers
    3 Tips For Healthcare Professionals: How To Stay Beautiful, Healthy, and Happy
    November 2, 2021
    importance of relaxing on the weekend for your health
    Importance of Relaxing During the Weekend for Optimal Health
    March 25, 2022
    LASIK Eye Surgery
    What Is LASIK Eye Surgery?
    May 16, 2022
    Latest News
    7 Most Common Healthcare Accreditation Programs: Which Should You Use?
    August 20, 2025
    Hospital Pest Control and the Fight Against Superbugs
    August 20, 2025
    Hygiene Beyond The Clinic: Attention To Overlooked Non-Clinical Spaces
    August 13, 2025
    5 Steps to a Promising Career as a Healthcare Administrator
    August 3, 2025
  • Policy and Law
    • Global Healthcare
    • Medical Ethics
    Policy and Law
    Get the latest updates about Insurance policies and Laws in the Healthcare industry for different geographical locations.
    Show More
    Top News
    All That You Need to Know About Clenbuterol
    November 22, 2019
    Top 5 Facts About CPPA Accreditation
    April 9, 2015
    mental health benefits school
    Mental Health & Practical Benefits of Continuing Education After 30
    June 30, 2024
    Latest News
    How Social Security Disability Shapes Access to Care and Everyday Health
    August 22, 2025
    How a DUI Lawyer Can Help When Your Future Health Feels Uncertain
    August 22, 2025
    How One Fall Can Lead to a Long Road of Medical Complications
    August 22, 2025
    How IT and Marketing Teams Can Collaborate to Protect Patient Trust
    July 17, 2025
  • Medical Innovations
  • News
  • Wellness
  • Tech
Search
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: Supreme Court Ruling Impacts Genetic Research
Share
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
Font ResizerAa
Search
Follow US
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Health Works Collective > Policy & Law > Supreme Court Ruling Impacts Genetic Research
Policy & Law

Supreme Court Ruling Impacts Genetic Research

Wendy White
Wendy White
Share
3 Min Read
US Supreme Court Building
SHARE

US Supreme Court BuildingOn June 13, 2013, the US Supreme Court ruled that human genes may not be patented. The unanimous decision will have a far reaching impact on genetic research.

US Supreme Court BuildingOn June 13, 2013, the US Supreme Court ruled that human genes may not be patented. The unanimous decision will have a far reaching impact on genetic research.

This was the end of legal battles that began three years ago between the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and the Public Patent Foundation sued Myriad Genetics, the University of Utah Research Foundation and the US Patent & Trademark Office. The case centered on Myriad’s patents on BRCA1 and BRCA2 genetic tests.

According to the Mayo Clinic, “The BRCA gene test is a blood test that uses DNA analysis to identify harmful changes (mutations) in either one of the two breast cancer susceptibility genes — BRCA1 and BRCA2. Women who have inherited mutations in these genes face a much higher risk of developing breast cancer and ovarian cancer compared with the general population.” This test has also gained recent publicity with Angelina Jolie’s announcement that she decided to have a preventive double mastectomy due to having the BRCA1 gene.

Myriad charged approximately $3,000 for each test and their patents prevented other labs from offering tests without paying them fees. At issue was the fact that this price point put this test out of reach of many women. Scientists also said that the Myriad patents impacted their ability to do research.

More Read

risk management in surgery
Risk-Proofing the Surgical Episode for Patients
Congress Has a Panel on Women’s Health and No Women Were Invited At the House Hearing – ”Default Topics” of Abortions and Birth Control Returned to the Floor
10 Things You Should Keep In Mind Before Availing Of Health Insurance
ACA Individual Mandate Provision: Day 2 of Deliberations
The iPad is Changing the Face of Healthcare

The short-term impact
The decision will quickly decrease the cost of these genetic tests. According to ABC News, “Hours after the ruling, one company, DNATraits, part of Houston-based Gene By Gene Ltd., said it would offer BRCA gene testing in the United States for $995, less than one-third of the current price.”

The long-term impact
This decision may also discourage investment in some forms of genetic research. The court did draw a distinction between the right to patent genes based on naturally occurring DNA and synthetic DNA created in laboratories (complementary DNA or cDNA). This creation of something new not already found in nature is eligible for patient protection, according to the court. This allows companies to profit from the research.

According to the New York Times, “That distinction may alter the sort of research and development conducted by the businesses that invest in the expensive work of understanding genetic material.” It’s hard to know what the direct impact will be for rare diseases but this decision does clarify the issue and remove any uncertainty.

Image courtesy of dbking on Flickr (CC BY).

TAGGED:genetic testing
Share This Article
Facebook Copy Link Print
Share

Stay Connected

1.5kFollowersLike
4.5kFollowersFollow
2.8kFollowersPin
136kSubscribersSubscribe

Latest News

engineer fitting prosthetic arm
How Social Security Disability Shapes Access to Care and Everyday Health
Health care
August 20, 2025
a woman explaining the document
How a DUI Lawyer Can Help When Your Future Health Feels Uncertain
Public Health
August 20, 2025
physiotherapist at work
How One Fall Can Lead to a Long Road of Medical Complications
Health care
August 20, 2025
Common Healthcare Accreditation Programs
7 Most Common Healthcare Accreditation Programs: Which Should You Use?
Health News
August 20, 2025

You Might also Like

Mental Health Act of 2013
Health ReformPolicy & LawPublic HealthSpecialties

Federal Push for Medicaid Mental Health Expansion

April 19, 2013
telehealth history
BusinessDiagnosticseHealthFinanceHealth ReformHome HealthMedical InnovationsPolicy & LawPublic HealthRemote DiagnosticsTechnology

The Evolution of Medicare Telehealth Reimbursement

June 12, 2013
Medical Malpractice Cases
Medical EthicsPolicy & Law

5 Steps to Starting a Medical Malpractice Suit

November 4, 2020
reproductive health
Policy & Law

The Election and Sexual/Reproductive Health Choices: Teens, Get Voting!

November 5, 2012
Subscribe
Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!
Follow US
© 2008-2025 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?