title: The perils of gene patents.
abstract: I argue here that gene patents, and patented genetic tests based on them, are a very bad idea. First, I discuss whether genes can reasonably be the subject of patents in the first place; I maintain that the answer is no. Second, I explain how gene patents interfere with scientific progress, slowing down the development of new cures and treatments for genetic diseases.
authors.affiliation: McKusick-Nathans Institute of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA. salzberg@jhu.edu
authors.forename: S L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Salzberg
mesh_terms: D005796:Genes; D030342:Genetic Diseases, Inborn / Q000235:genetics / Q000628:therapy; D005820:Genetic Testing; D005823:Genetics; D006801:Humans; D018973:Intellectual Property; D010330:Patents as Topic / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence