Today the U.S. Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in Association for Molecular Pathology v. Myriad Genetics, Inc., commonly called the Myriad case. The question before the court is: “Are human genes patentable?” Myriad claims isolated DNA molecules from the BRCA 1 and 2 genes used to assist in diagnosing a patient’s risk of breast and ovarian cancer. IPO argued in its amicus brief in March that isolated human DNA is eligible subject matter. IPO believes a ban on patenting isolated human DNA would harm research, technology and innovation.
