Will Genes Ruling Prevent the Next Genentech?
This article is for subscribers only.
June 20 (Bloomberg) -- By ruling last week to restrict theability of companies to own human genetic sequences, the SupremeCourt may have also called into question thousands ofbiotechnology, agricultural and drug patents.
The court’s decision that naturally occurring genes can’tbe patented, though so-called synthetic ones can, may haveanother unintended consequence: It could undermine a preciousrelationship between academic scientists and the private sectorby making businesses less eager to fund cutting-edge DNAresearch. Such ties, which have been a vital source of supportfor innovation in genetic engineering, rely on a model that wasfirst developed by the iconic biotechnology company GenentechInc. in 1976.