Keep your patents out of my genes!

[pecosdave]

National Geographic reports that one fith of human genes have been patented. I have a problem with this. It's called public domain and/or prior art. Per the article "The earliest gene patents were obtained around 1978". Well, human genes, I was born in 1977, if any of the genes in my body violate one of those patents I claim prior art. If the

Comments

[nolawitch]

My DNA goes back to 1958. I wonder if those assholes have patented blue eyes. If they have, I'll sue them for infringement on prior art.

[lab_rattus]

The lady at the Clinique counter said my eyes are "golden".
*runs to patent office*

Dating of DNA

[real_skeptic]

Well, I was born in 1967, but naturally, my genes are half my mother's and half my father's. And they were born in 1941 and 1939 respectively. Half my father's genes belong to his late father, and half to his living mother. I don't know their birthdays exactly, but I seem to recall something around 1914. Same goes for my mother. I seriously doubt any mutation happened along the way, as those don't occur too often.

Maybe the patent office is inhabited by creationists?

*ahem* (C) Copyright Eric Stout, 2005

[iptv_tech]

I just aquired the copyright to this posting ;)

Well in that case,

[pecosdave]

I believe it's safe to say your right to restrict this begins where my foot ends.

His right begins in his anal sphincter?

[naruki_oni]

And is it just me, or did you hit the wrong reply link?

Re: His right begins in his anal sphincter?

[pecosdave]

I sure did, we just happened to be on at the same time. Not the first time I've done that.

That isn't just a wheel.

[naruki_oni]

It's a spoked wheel with rubber inner tube, very specific.

Had he patented "the wheel", I'd be much more impressed. ;-p