SUPREME COURT POSTPONES DECISION ON GENE-PATENTING CASE

From the National Society of Genetic Counselors

The Supreme Court has delayed a decision on whether to hear a gene patenting case that could affect the entire biotech industry. Because it had been scheduled for a conference discussion by the justices earlier this month, a decision about whether to consider the case was expected on Tuesday. But the Court did not accept or reject the case, suggesting that the justices will want to discuss it again.

Here's the National Society of Genetic Counselor's position statement on gene patenting:

HUMAN GENE PATENTING: The National Society of Genetic Counselors (NSGC) supports an individual's access to medical technology and services. NSGC believes that patent holders granting exclusive licenses on human nucleic acid sequences will hinder the development and cost-effectiveness of genetic testing, particularly when the analysis of multiple genes or the entire genome is necessary to assess the risk or existence of disease.

The NSGC supports government policy that encourages open and unfettered access to human nucleic acid sequences to promote the development of personalized medicine services that will benefit the public.