The Good in Gene Patenting for BRCA1 and BRCA2 Essay

A Right to Her Genes by Susannah Gal Department of Biological Sciences State University of New York at Binghamton and Jessie W. Klein Science Department Middlesex Community College “But, doctor, what should I do?” Michelle was sitting in her OB-GYN’s office, having just confronted him with the dilemma she was facing. “My mother died of breast cancer when I was little and now I find out that her mother, my grandmother, has bone cancer and my grandmother’s brother and my grandfather both have lung…

BRCA 1 gene mutation is, just a misplaced puzzle piece. The BRCA 1 gene mutation can go by many names like breast cancer 1, early onset or IRIS, but no matter what name you call it, it still inflicts some questions and concerns. The BRCA 1 gene mutation is a human gene that produces tumor suppressor proteins located on chromosome 17 at position 21. These proteins when not mutated, help repair damaged DNA and play a role in ensuring the stability of one 's cellular genetic material. When the gene becomes…

The second similarity is that both BRCA1 and BRCA2 bind to Rad5 protein that is involved in maintain the integrity of the genome (Kinzler et al, 1997). A mutation in the AT, or ATM, gene on chromosome 11 also is associated with breast cancer, and it may be much more common in the general population than BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations. Seven percent of familial breast cancer may be associated with the AT gene mutation (Radford and Zehnbauer, 1996, cited in McCain, 1997). It is not known whether the…

In “Patenting Life,” Michael Crichton argues that the government is mishandling the patenting office with the awarding of patents for human genes. Gene patenting is blocking the advancement of modern medicine and could be costing many patients their lives. The hold on research results in the discovery of fewer cures for modern diseases. The United States Patent Office awards patents to companies that discover cures, tests, and medical operations for human genes. These patents are in use to compensate…

Surrounding the Breast Cancer Genes The process of unraveling the mysteries of the human genome creates enormous possibilities in the world of science. Knowing where on our chromosomes a specific gene lies allows scientists to look inside the human body with more intensity than any X-ray could ever achieve. By analyzing the genetic make-up of human beings, scientists can track diseases back to their most fundamental stages. In recent years, scientists have discovered two genes that play a role in the…

Variation in BRCA Genes Could Be the Key to Understanding Familial Breast Cancer Introduction Breast cancer is an uncontrollable division of cells within the breast tissue that affects about 12% of women in their lifetime. Cancer can be caused by sporadic mutations influenced by environment or by genetic disposition. Several genes play a role in cell division: Oncogenes are responsible for directing mitosis, and tumor suppression genes prevent the expression of genes involved in cell division…

and less publicized race to patent as many human genes as possible. The patenting issue gained some attention when President Bill Clinton and Prime Minster Tony Blair jointly called for the release of raw genetic data into the public domain (CQ 405). I will argue in this paper that the aggressive competition among biotechnology firms to patent genes is impeding development being made in biomedical sector. The main problem with patenting genes is that companies are filing patents for strands…

majors genes (BRCA1 and BRCA2) that when they mutate can cause breast cancer. These genes can be passed from parent to child, increasing the risk of developing cancer in those child that have parent carrying these genes. BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes are located on chromosome 17 and chromosome 13 respectively. There is a 90% chance of developing breast cancer for a woman that has these mutated genes. In contrast, men carrying BRCA1 have no risk to develop breast cancer, but those carrying BRCA2 genes have…

Gene sequencing is a method that helps us to read the genetic code and to compare normal genes with disease causing genes (Kratz, 2015). It is helpful to determine the precise order of the bases in a DNA strand, and mostly used for genetic variation or mutation that might lead to a development of a disease. This disease causing change can be a substitution, deletion or addition of a single base pair (National Human Genome Research Institute, 2014). Since the human genome project has completed its…

invention. In the science community gene patents have created conflict between those who believe that patents have helped science and those who believe it is actually hindering science advances. Genes are important because they are the heredity of a living organism and it is given from a parent to their offspring. Scientist study genes to find cures for the many diseases found in the world. Unfortunately gene patents focus on the commercial side, therefore I believe gene patents should be banned. In…