[Commons-Law] One-fifth of your DNA is now owned (as in patented) by someone else.

[Hasit seth]

One-fifth of your DNA is now owned (as in patented) by someone else.
http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/14.01/start.html?pg=17

You've heard of patenting PC parts, but human parts? Organizations are
now patenting sequences of nucleotides so they can license the rights
to other companies that use the sequences to develop drugs or
diagnostic tests. In a sense, the institutions that hold these patents
own the intellectual property rights to you - nearly a fifth of you,
in fact. A new study from researchers at MIT shows that 4,270 US
patents have been issued for 4,382 individual human genes - almost 20
percent of the entire genome. "Patents appear to be concentrated in
areas relevant to human disease and biological pathways," says Fiona
Murray, a professor at MIT's Sloan School of Management. Genetic
patent-infringement lawsuits may be around the corner.

A LOOK AT CHROMOSOME 12
374 total patents

Gene: A2M
Significance: Linked to Alzheimer's disease and emphysema
Patent holders: General Hospital ­Corporation, Incyte

Gene: ADCY6
Significance: Associated with an enzyme found in thyroid and brain tissues
Patent holder: Millennium Pharmaceuticals

Gene: CACNB3
Significance: Involved in the release of neurotransmitters and hormones
Patent holders: American Home Products*, Bayer, Merck, SIBIA Neuro­sciences*

Gene: RDH5
Significance: Related to night blindness
Patent holders: Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, PE Corporation*

Gene: CD4
Significance: Linked to Lupus and a form of white blood cell deficiency
Patent holders: Columbia University, General Hospital Corporation,
Incyte, United States of America, University of Pennsylvania, Wistar
Institute

Gene: DHH
Significance: Plays a role in regulating development of reproductive
organs and the nervous system
Patent holders: Biogen*, Curis

Gene: IL22
Significance: Involved in inflammatory bowel disease and Crohn's disease
Patent holders: Genentech, Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research

Gene: P2RX7
Significance: Linked to chronic lymphatic leukemia
Patent holders: Glaxo*, Incyte

Top 10 Holders of Gene Patents

1) Patent Holder: Incyte
No. of genes patented: about 2,000
2) Patent Holder: Millennium Pharmaceuticals
No. of genes patented: 142
3) Patent Holder: Human Genome Sciences
No. of genes patented: 140
4) Patent Holder: Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research
No. of genes patented: 90
5) Patent Holder: The Regents of the University of California
No. of genes patented: 89
6) Patent Holder: SmithKline Beecham*
No. of genes patented: 79
7) Patent Holder: Applera: 59
8) Patent Holder: Isis Pharmaceuticals
No. of genes patented: 58
9) Patent Holder: Genetics Institute*
No. of genes patented: 53
10) Patent Holder: Lexicon Genetics: 48

* Company has since merged, been acquired, or changed its name.
Sources: Kyle Jensen and

Fiona Murray, MIT; National Center for Biotechnology Information