Ownership of Genes

This article discusses the 2010 court decision to make patents of genes illegal.  The specific court case was over the 'ownership' of the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes.  Before this case, Myriad had a patent on these two genes which meant that they were the only institution allowed to sell tests for mutations on these genes.  The court decision said that such a monopoly would not be allowed.  However, this decision brought up interesting implications for the patentability of protein-based drugs and antibiotics.