Yale scientist, Ellen Matloff, one of lead plaintiffs in human gene patent case weights in

 Ellen T. Matloff, director of cancer genetic counseling at the Yale Cancer Center, was one of the lead plaintiffs in the case and, after hearing the justices’ questions, said, “I’m very hopeful that we’ll win.”

Myriad Genetics of Salt Lake City has been awarded patents on two genes found in everyone’s DNA, BRCA1 and BRCA2, which are linked to increased risk of breast and ovarian cancer. A genetic test can help determine the chance a person will develop the disease.

These patents have drawn up the costs of this test, Matloff said by phone. The tests used on those genes, which only Myriad sells, cost upwards of $4,000 because of Myriad’s patents and insurance companies did not cover the cost for years.

Read more at New Haven Register:   http://www.nhregister.com/articles/2013/04/15/news/doc516c1b30a8cfc344788071.txt