Supreme Court says Human Genes Cannot be Patented

The Supreme Court says companies cannot patent human genes, a decision that could profoundly affect the medical and biotechnology industries.

In a unanimous decision, the court struck down patents held by Myriad Genetics Inc. on two genes linked to increased risk of breast and ovarian cancer.

Justice Clarence Thomas wrote that the DNA is a product of nature and not eligible for a patent merely because it has been isolated.