US HHS advisory group SACGHS' proposals to limit gene patent draws fire from industry

A US government committee at the Department Health and Human Services - Secretary's Advisory Committee on Genetics, Health and Society (SACGHS) ' last Friday voted to advise HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius to limit the ability of holders of gene patents to keep others from using those genes for diagnostic and research purposes.

Critics say that the proposals would amount to a major change of important US patent law, would hinder industry innovation and commercial opportunities in genetics, and would lead to fewer gene-based technologies making their way to the clinic, reports GenomeWeb Daily News.

The SACGHS agreed to send Ms Sebelius a report that recommends creating a specific statutory exemption from infringement liability for genetic tests that use genes patented by another party, and another exemption for scientists who wish to use patent-protected genes for research.