Ian Bunn | Political & Popular Culture Arts

Stephanie Trouillard the French TV journalist and blogger has published an article on France24 titled ‘Can human DNA be patented?’ in which she states “The US Supreme Court is hearing a case against a US biotech company that wants to defend its exclusive rights over two human gene sequences that could be used to identify people at greater risk of developing ovarian and breast cancer. Myriad Genetics, based in Salt Lake City, Utah, developed a genetic diagnosis tool based on the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes — sequences that the company successfully patented — in the late 1990s. …Myriad’s monopoly over the two genes is contested. Researchers, doctors and patients argue that the company’s patents prevent wider testing and research into cancer. The US-based Association for Molecular Pathology (AMP) is one of several scientific bodies contesting Myriad’s patents at the Supreme Court, whose nine justices are expected to deliver their ruling in June. The AMP argues that the genetic sequences for which Myriad holds the patents, awarded in 1997 and 1998, unfairly block further and more extensive research into cancer treatments. … AMP lawyer Christopher Hansen argued to the court that a company could not have exclusive rights over DNA, it being a substance created by nature. “The question presented by this case is what exactly did Myriad invent?” Hansen said. “And the answer is nothing.” The groups opposing Myriad’s patents are supported by Nobel Prize-winning scientist James Watson, who discovered the double helix structure of DNA in 1953. He argued that the product of nature could not be monopolised by any entity. “Knowledge per se cannot be patented. Myriad should not own breast cancer genes,” Watson said outside the Supreme Court. Myriad, meanwhile, wants to secure its rights on the genetic sequences and so safeguard the substantial investments it made in researching and developing its analysis tools.”

Inspired by Stephanie Trouillard, France24 ow.ly/kuIe9 Image source ow.ly/kuIci

Max Melitzer a 65 year old homeless man living in Salt Lake City, Utah USA inherited $100,000 from his deceased brother’s estate whom he had not seen for 15 years. Melitzer became homeless following a motor vehicle accident two decades earlier in which he was the driver losing control of the vehicle that resulted in the death of his beloved wife Janice and two other friends. Grieving from the loss he fell into destitution after eviction from his apartment and moving from place to place for accommodation, eventually living on the streets and in shelters with the support of social workers. After some difficulty finding Melitzer, a private investigator located him pushing a shopping trolley containing his worldly possessions through a park. Shocked to receive the inheritance Melitzer is seeking legal advice.

Inspired by Daily Mail http://ow.ly/5rNdl image source The Daily Beast http://ow.ly/5rNcO

Jon Meade Huntsman the 50 year old former GOP Governor of Utah and current United States Ambassador to China might be considering a presidential run in 2012 after his name appeared on lists of potential Republican nominees. When questioned President Obama responded “I couldn’t be happier with the ambassador’s service, and I’m sure he will be very successful in whatever endeavors he chooses in the future. I’m sure that him having worked so well with me will be a great asset in any Republican primary.” Huntsman declined to comment when asked by Newsweek whether he was prepared to rule out a 2012 presidential election bid, the no comment response described by Newsweek as “as close to a hat-in-ring announcement as you’ll get from a sitting member of the incumbent’s administration”.

Inspired by Elaine Chow ow.ly/3IWIH image source Wikipedia ow.ly/3IWL5