US Supreme Court to rule if firms can patent genes

An appeals court in August authorized a biotechnology company, Myriad Genetics Inc., to patent two genes it found had links to breast and ovarian cancer — women with the gene were at a much higher risk of developing the cancers.

These patents give Myriad the exclusive right to create and distribute commercial screenings for the two genes.

But a wide-ranging group of plaintiffs — including molecular research teams, doctors, patients and the American Civil Liberties Union — have asked the Supreme Court to invalidate the ruling.

They argue the decision to allow certain genes to be patented would slam the brakes on scientific research, as well as restrict access to care.

The Supreme Court will hear arguments in March and render its decision in June.

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