¶ … human genes be patented?
Patenting Genes
The deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) is a chemical information structure that contains the whole composition of the cell, as it determines the nature of proteins it produces, its life span, and its function. Genes are part of the DNA and they are practically functioning subunits with each of these respective units having a certain set of instructions that typically code particular proteins or functions.
While naturally occurring genes are present in people's bodies, artificial gene synthesis has made it possible for scientists to create artificial genes in laboratories. Gene synthesis services have recently become a major commercial opportunity and companies from around the world now provide individuals with the possibility to access their services.
By looking at the case involving Myriad Genetics, one can easily understand why it would be important for genes to be patented. The company is trying to patent genes that are connected to a hereditary form of breast cancer.
Another reason why it would be profitable for society as a whole to patent genes is the fact that this would bring on the opportunity to invest in research and progress. The fact that most companies need financial assistance in order to develop...
This bill was sent to the U.S. Senate and set for vote mirroring a bill previously passed by the House during the Summer of 2003 which failed to pass the Senate because of vehement disagreement that was even "within the parties over the prohibition of therapeutic cloning.(National Legislation Concerning Human and Reproductive Cloning, 2004; paraphrased) As of the date of the report on legislation eight U.S. states had passed
(Weiler, 1998) Weiler states that in relation to the offspring the following must be examined closely: 1) a single parent (genetically) of the offspring which is at the same time a genetic sibling. This issue parallels the non-zygotic fertilization; 2) Multiple twinship. Cloning a number of brothers or sisters from the same cell is similar to the case of twins only more extreme due to the intervention occurring in the process of
Analysis Annabelle Lever makes a very strong argument for her case, and is ultimately convincing in her assertion that the degree of manipulation necessary to create a patentable gene warrants their continued patentable nature without ethical fears entering the picture. While it is important to respect life and the building blocks of life and to ensure that these building blocks do not suddenly fall under ridiculous legal restrictions or controls, it
Although these stem cells are only a few years old, they possess unlimited potential in terms of clinical research. Specifically, scientists are focusing their potential uses in transplant medicine in order to significantly reduce the level of both infections and overall organ rejection in organ transplant surgery. The potential for using stem cells is of vast clinical and medical importance. These cells could potentially allow scientists to learn what occurs
Ethics of Human Cloning Ever since Dolly the Sheep was initially cloned in the latter portion of the 20th century, there has been widespread debate over the ethical issues and the practicality of human cloning. Many points of these issues are elucidated within a pair of essays in which the respective authors argue for and against cloning. John Harris' article, "The Poverty of Objections to Human Reproductive Cloning" examines these points
Christian Biotechnology: Not a Contradiction in Terms Presented with the idea of "Bioethics" most people in the scientific community today immediately get the impression of repressive, Luddite forces wishing to stifle research and advancement in the name of morality and God. Unfortunately, this stereotype too often holds true. If one looks over the many independent sites on the Internet regarding bioethics, reads popular magazines and publications, or browses library shelves for
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