Sunday, October 28, 2012

REP. BECERRA APPLAUDS COURT DECISION ON GENE PATENTING


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REP. BECERRA APPLAUDS COURT DECISION ON GENE PATENTINGPDFPrint
WASHINGTON, D.C.— Representative Xavier Becerra (CA-31), Vice Chair of the House Democratic Caucus and a member of the House Ways and Means and Budget Committees, today applauded a U.S. District Court of New York.decision in the case Association for Molecular Pathology v. U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, which invalidates patents on genes linked to hereditary breast and ovarian cancer. The ruling is the result of a lawsuit brought by a group of patients, physicians and scientists.
“I have long believed that gene patents hurt patients by limiting access to life-saving tests and preventing scientists from conducting cutting-edge research; that is why I have sponsored legislation banning gene patents,” Rep. Becerra said.
Although this court decision represents significant progress, it does not prevent the U.S. Patent and Trade Office from issuing future patents.
This decision is also subject to appeal and, therefore, is not yet final.This decision is consistent with gene patent legislation Rep. Becerra has authored and will reintroduce. Rep. Becerra’s bill affirms that products of nature, such as the human genome, cannot be patented.
“I will once again introduce legislation banning gene patenting to ensure patients’ access to their own medical information, reduce the costs of gene tests and increase scientific research into personalized medicine. The district court’s decision moves us one day closer to ensuring that genomic research and technology will be there to serve the interests of human kind,” Rep. Becerra said.

Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Success

The book launch party on October 21st was a grand success.  More on this later with exciting news about a new campaign created as a result of a lively discussion during the party.  Stay tuned for details.

Wednesday, October 3, 2012

Party Invitation


You are cordially invited to a book launch party
on Sunday, October 21
from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
at Beth El Hebrew Congregation
3830 Seminary Road
Alexandria, Virginia 22304
hors d'oeuvres
open bar
dress business casual
no admission fee
30 copies of the book will be on sale for $25 each
rsvp by comment or call 703-960-2921

Monday, October 1, 2012

New Petition for Cert

On September 24, 2012 AMP et als filed a petition for cert in the second round of the Myriad case.  The first question presented for consideration is "Are human genes patentable?"  It appears to be a given that the Petition will be granted.