REP. BECERRA APPLAUDS COURT DECISION ON GENE PATENTING

REP. BECERRA APPLAUDS COURT DECISION ON GENE PATENTING

WASHINGTON, D.C.— Representative Xavier Becerra (CA-31), Vice Chair of the House Democratic Caucus and a member of the House Ways and Means and Budget Committees, today applauded a U.S. District Court of New York.decision in the case Association for Molecular Pathology v. U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, which invalidates patents on genes linked to hereditary breast and ovarian cancer. The ruling is the result of a lawsuit brought by a group of patients, physicians and scientists. “I have long believed that gene patents hurt patients by limiting access to life-saving tests and preventing scientists from conducting cutting-edge research; that is why I have sponsored legislation banning gene patents,” Rep. Becerra said. Although this court decision represents significant progress, it does not prevent the U.S. Patent and Trade Office from issuing future patents. This decision is also subject to appeal and, therefore, is not yet final.This decision is consistent with gene patent legislation Rep. Becerra has authored and will reintroduce. Rep. Becerra’s bill affirms that products of nature, such as the human genome, cannot be patented. “I will once again introduce legislation banning gene patenting to ensure patients’ access to their own medical information, reduce the costs of gene tests and increase scientific research into personalized medicine. The district court’s decision moves us one day closer to ensuring that genomic research and technology will be there to serve the interests of human kind,” Rep. Becerra said.

Success

The book launch party on October 21st was a grand success.  More on this later with exciting news about a new campaign created as a result of a lively discussion during the party.  Stay tuned for details.

Party Invitation

You are cordially invited to a book launch party

for "Other Peoples Bodies"

on Sunday, October 21

from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

at Beth El Hebrew Congregation

3830 Seminary Road

Alexandria, Virginia 22304

hors d'oeuvres

open bar

dress business casual

no admission fee

30 copies of the book will be on sale for $25 each

rsvp by comment or call 703-960-2921

New Petition for Cert

On September 24, 2012 AMP et als filed a petition for cert in the second round of the Myriad case.  The first question presented for consideration is "Are human genes patentable?"  It appears to be a given that the Petition will be granted.

H.R. 977 (110th): Genomic Research and Accessibility Act

110th Congress, 2007–2009

To amend title 35, United States Code, to prohibit the patenting of human genetic material.

Introduced:

Feb 09, 2007

Sponsor:

Rep. Xavier Becerra [D-CA31]

Status:

Died (Referred to Committee)

Bill titles and the summary above are written by the sponsor. H.R. stands for House bill.

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BILL OVERVIEW

STATUS:

Introduced	Feb 09, 2007
This bill was introduced on February 9, 2007, in a previous session of Congress, but was not enacted.

TEXT:

• Read Bill Text

COSPONSORS:

show cosponsors (6)

Weldon, David “Dave” [R-FL15]

Stark, Fortney “Pete” [D-CA13]

(joined Mar 14, 2007)

Carson, Julia [D-IN7]

(joined May 14, 2007)

Shea-Porter, Carol [D-NH1]

(joined Jun 25, 2007)

DeGette, Diana [D-CO1]

(joined Sep 19, 2007)

Sánchez, Linda [D-CA39]

(joined Jan 28, 2008)

COMMITTEES:

House Committee on the Judiciary

Genomic Research and Accessibility Act'

HR 977 IH

110th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 977

To amend title 35, United States Code, to prohibit the patenting of human genetic material.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

February 9, 2007

Mr. BECERRA (for himself and Mr. WELDON of Florida) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

---

A BILL

To amend title 35, United States Code, to prohibit the patenting of human genetic material.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the `Genomic Research and Accessibility Act'.

SEC. 2. PROHIBITION ON PATENT OF HUMAN GENETIC MATERIAL.

(a) In General- Chapter 10 of title 35, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new section:

`Sec. 106. Prohibition on patent of human genetic material

`Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no patent may be obtained for a nucleotide sequence, or its functions or correlations, or the naturally occurring products it specifies.'.
(b) Table of Contents- The table of sections of chapter 10 of title 35, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
`106. Prohibition on patent of human genetic material.'.
(c) Applicability- The amendment made by subsection (a) shall not apply to a patent issued before the date of the enactment of this Act.

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