knowledge -WSS

knowledge

author：leisure time 2025-10-03 00:03:51 - browse：4228

Today, if you want to know what scary family health secrets lay buried in your DNA or get screened for a lurking cancer, you have a lot of options. Laboratories have developed more than 75,000 genetic tests, with about 10 new ones entering the market daily. By the end of 2019, more than 26 million Americans had had their DNA decoded to some degree or another. Since then, that number has surely grown.

But this testing frenzy would have been inconceivable just 10 years ago. In part, that’s because the technology back then was so expensive. More importantly, until 2013, it was common practice for gene-hunting academics and companies to lock up their discoveries with DNA patents, effectively carving up the human genome into mini-monopolies. That year, the U.S. Supreme Court threw a bomb into the biotech world when it took up a landmark case that pitted cancer survivors and the American Civil Liberties Union against a diagnostics company called Myriad Genetics, which had obtained exclusive patents on the cancer-causing BRCA genes and made billions of dollars selling tests for them.

A new book called “The Genome Defense,” written by University of Utah science and technology law expert Jorge Contreras and being published Oct. 26, provides a front-row seat to the courtroom drama that would upend three decades of federal intellectual property law and chart a new course toward balancing corporate profits with the rights of all people to the information written into their DNA.

STAT+ Exclusive Story

Already have an account? Log in

This article is exclusive to STAT+ subscribers

Unlock this article — plus daily coverage and analysis of the biotech sector — by subscribing to STAT+.

Already have an account? Log in

Monthly

$39

Totals $468 per year

$39/month Get Started

Totals $468 per year

Starter

$30

for 3 months, then $39/month

$30 for 3 months Get Started

Then $39/month

Annual

$399

Save 15%

$399/year Get Started

Save 15%

11+ Users

Custom

Savings start at 25%!

Request A Quote Request A Quote

Savings start at 25%!

2-10 Users

$300

Annually per user

$300/year Get Started

$300 Annually per user

View All Plans

Get unlimited access to award-winning journalism and exclusive events.

Subscribe Log In

Previous article： FDA approval of Sarepta Duchenne genetic therapy gives me hope
Next article： Micronoma's microbiome cancer diagnostic approach under fire

hotspot

WSS

Lawsuit alleges UnitedHealth Group unit illegally denied claims

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau separating from wife, Sophie

What the airline industry can learn from medicine

Infectious disease expert Jeanne Marrazzo assumes Fauci role

Trump indictment: Who are the 'co

Breakthrough Alzheimer’s drugs are inaccessible in rural states

Wikipedia

knowledge

This article is exclusive to STAT+ subscribers

Unlock this article — plus daily coverage and analysis of the biotech sector — by subscribing to STAT+.

knowledge

Novavax promises a turnaround & Lilly roils the obesity market

Hyundai and Kia recall nearly 92,000 vehicles and tell owners to park them outside due to fire risk

Tori Bowie and the unacceptable rates of Black maternal death

Solve the antibiotic resistance crisis with preventive drugs

Affirmative action in medical school literally saved lives

Micronoma's microbiome cancer diagnostic approach under fire

Novavax promises a turnaround & Lilly roils the obesity market

Breakthrough Alzheimer’s drugs are inaccessible in rural states

New air purifier tech could be key to improving indoor air quality

Breakthrough Alzheimer’s drugs are inaccessible in rural states

knowledge

Researchers explore possible ties between long Covid, menopause

Eli Lilly expects to double planned employment in Boston center

STAT Summit: Michael J. Fox on progress in Parkinson's research

What to expect as Trump is arraigned on his Jan 6. indictment

Infectious disease expert Jeanne Marrazzo assumes Fauci role

Beam Therapeutics to lay off 20% of its staff, re

hotspot

knowledge

explore

hotspot