AMA Welcomes an End to Human Gene Patents
Statement attributable to: Jeremy A. Lazarus, M.D., President, American Medical Association
“The U.S. Supreme Court’s unanimous rejection of patenting human genes is a clear victory for patients that will expand medical discovery and preserve access to innovative diagnosis and treatment options.
“The American Medical Association (AMA) has long advocated for a clear prohibition against human gene patents. To ensure the U.S. Supreme Court heard physicians’ voices loud and clear, the AMA joined with other health care organizations to file an amicus brief in defense of the federal court ruling that invalidated patents held by Myriad Genetics on the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes consistent with the law.
“The AMA is pleased that the justices saw through the flawed premise that resulted in Myriad’s exclusive patent awards and affirmed that human genes are products of nature and not patent eligible.
“Removing the patents on the building blocks of life ensures that scientific discovery and medical care based on insights into human DNA will remain freely accessible and widely disseminated, not hidden behind a vast thicket of exclusive rights.”
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Media Contact:
Robert J. Mills
AMA Media Relations
(312) 464-5970
robert.mills@ama-assn.org
About the American Medical Association (AMA)
The American Medical Association is the premiere national organization empowering the nation’s physicians to provide safer, higher quality, and more efficient care for patients and communities. The AMA is unwavering in its commitment to shape a better future for America’s medical students, physicians and patients with a single goal: to advance the health of the nation. To learn more, visit www. ama-assn.org.
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