Important Judicial Decision

Last week, Federal District Judge Robert Sweetruled that patenting a human gene amounts to nothing more than a "lawyer's trick." The decision, in a case about patenting mutations of two genes associated with breast cancer, called into question decades of precedent and thousands of biotechnology patents. Analysts are worrying about the companies that depend on those patents, biotech executives are working to put out the flames, and investors are trying to figure out whether to press the "sell" button just yet. Despite the uncertainties for the market, however, Judge Sweet's decision may set a precedent that ends up helping biotech researchers, businesses, and consumers, too.

More info at: http://www.slate.com/id/2250082/