We explained in Immortals and perfect (p34) that in recent years there has been a controversy around a patent by Myriad Genetics. American company is patented in its day two human genes associated with breast cancer (BRCA1 and BRCA2), which in practice means that only they can make their genetic tests to detect susceptibility to cancer.
It has fought to avoid this clear both in Europe and the USA, arguing that it is absurd register a gene that we all have in our DNA. First in Europe seemed to be voided, which would facilitate and cheapen the tests (currently cost $ 3,000). But in the end it was the Americans who have taken the first step and have invalidated the patent. The legal battle will be long, surely, as Myriad out a good use of these products and will not be defeated so easily.
