Gene Patent Argumentative Essay

A common issue in today's medical world is the patenting of genes in humans, and whether or not the medical researchers should have the right to patent genes. Michael Crichton who wrote “Patenting Life” and John E. Calfee “Decoding the use of gene patents” discuss the credibility of patenting genes, although the authors agree that gene patenting can slow the advances of medical research they have different views about the cost of patented genes and whether genes should continue to be patented.
When it comes to the testing of genes Crichton believes there should not be an outrageous price tag attached to it, because of gene patenting large companies have control over what they will charge patients and where they're allowed to take the tests that could potentially save a life by discovering that they …show more content…
Imagine you or your child had some disease that was unknown, then all of a sudden this gene was identified and you could be tested to see if you were a carrier. Shortly after, a company would patent this gene to prevent anyone else in the medical field to administer this test. Furthermore this has caused an uproar with patients who end up getting tested, once these companies have your tissue sample they can use it for other tests, “The gene may exist in your body, buts it's now private property” (441). On the contrary Calfee believes gene patenting is not natural after the process you have to go through to get the gene you want, you have to “take it apart and purify it in a way it doesn't occur in nature” (444). You also have to find a solid use for the gene to be considered for patenting. The process of patenting became very controversial people could not believe someone could patent something that did not belong to

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Gene Patent Argumentative Essay