“The March of Dimes is delighted with today’s unanimous Supreme Court decision in the case Association of Molecular Pathology v. Myriad Genetics, finding that the mere identification of a gene or mutation is insufficient to qualify for a patent,” stated Dr. Jennifer Howse, President of the March of Dimes.
“This decision will allow research to proceed unimpeded on some of the most crucial and vexing questions in medicine, such as the cause of preterm birth, which affects one in every 9 babies born in our nation. Genetic predisposition almost certainly plays a key role in some cases of preterm birth; as we learn more and identify genes potentially implicated in this process, we can be confident that research will advance without being hampered by patent infringement claims.
“This decision is a victory for patients and for research. Having signed onto one of the key amicus curiae briefs in this case, the March of Dimes commends the Justices for producing a sensible, thoughtful decision. This decision sets the groundwork for a system of granting patents for genuine innovation and invention in genetics while protecting the ability of research on genes to advance.”