Patenting The Human Genome

The promises and potential of this discovery are mind-boggling in consideration. Understanding the makeup of human DNA allows for unprecedented leaps forward in medicine, psychology, and even philosophy “The genome represents a spectacular and unique opportunity for medicine as well as philosophical self-knowledge” (Ridley 1). Researchers may one day know suicide occurs in people who have a damaged sequence of proteins and be able to correct it. The same is true for many psychological disorders. A cure for AIDS and other viruses that attack the human organism may be possible. Parents will be able to tailor their children. The aging process may be greatly ameliorated. We may find, contrary to Descartes, the mind and body are not separate. The list of possibilities is e

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nitially began working on with public funding. Celera uses super-computers that Venter boasts use more technology than is available in 90 percent of the world’s countries to create a sketch of human genome sequences so it can apply for patent protection on them before the Human Genome Project. While the Human Genome Project scientists announced they will have the human genome decoded by 2001, two years earlier than scheduled, Celera and Incyte are further along in the process. Many feel the only sensible patent reform is one that focuses on the use of the human genome sequence, rather than the sequence itself. This would allow other researchers and interested parties to have access to the basic sequence without infringing on patent rights. Those discoveries that arise from resources devoted to using the basic sequence should be allowed patent protection. Many fault the government for being lax when it comes to legislation regarding the basic sequence of the human genome when it comes to patents, while others wonder how the world’s two biggest superpowers were bested by a newly formed private company: Changing patent law is a job for politicians, and they can hardly complain if genomics companies are taking advantage of thei
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Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 4781
Approximate Pages = 19 (250 words per page)