From VOA Learning English, this is the Technology Report.The U.S. Supreme Court recently ruled that businesses cannot control the rights to human genes in their natural state.Patients' rights groups are calling the decision a victory.The court, however, left room to protect the patent ownership rights on some other important biotechnology applications.The court's decision was in a case involving the biotechnology company Myriad Genetics.The company had identified human genes that increase a woman's risk for breast cancer and ovarian cancer.The company applied for and was given exclusive rights over the use of those genes.Attorney Sandra Park works with the American Civil Liberties Union. She says the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has been allowing patents on some DNA for 30 years."What was problematic about these patents was that Myriad was able to use those patents to stop other laboratories from providing genetic testing, even when those other laboratories were using different methods."Miss Park says that means that genetic testing for increased risk of breast and ovarian cancer cost more because of the lack of competition.
