The ACLU is often criticized (rightly, in some cases) for going overboard with their lawsuits, but this is one case where I fully support them:  ACLU: Human Gene Patents Infringe Speech.

I’m not sure what patented genes have to do with civil rights or free speech, but whatever the case, I’m glad somebody is trying to stop this.  It’s completely outrageous that anyone should get to “patent” a naturally occurring gene.

From the article:  “Women who fear they may be at an increased risk are barred from having anyone look at their BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes or interpret them except for the patent holder…”

Unbelievable!  You can’t look at the genes in your own body?

I can understand patenting a device for detecting the genes, but in no way should such a patent prevent someone else from inventing another method for detecting them, which sounds like it’s the case here.