Why are gene patents a civil liberties issue?
Gene patenting is a civil liberties issue because gene patents undermine the free exchange of information and scientific freedom, bodily integrity, and women’s health. In granting exclusive rights to gene patent holders, the U.S. government in essence gives those patent holders complete control over those genes and the information contained within them. This interferes with a person’s right to know about his or her own genetic makeup and scientists’ rights to study the human genome and develop new genetic tests. Granting a monopoly on fundamental pieces of knowledge infringes on First Amendment rights, which protect the freedom of scientific inquiry and the free exchange of knowledge and ideas. What laws apply to human gene patents? The ACLU and PUBPAT believe that gene patents violate both existing patent law and the Constitution. • Patent law has long held that products of nature and laws of nature are not patentable subject matter. The USPTO is failing to abide by this precedent whe
