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"When Genae Girard received a diagnosis of breast cancer in 2006, she knew she would
be facing medical challenges and high expenses. But she did not expect to run into patent
problems."
be facing medical challenges and high expenses. But she did not expect to run into patent
problems."
| Article from, The New York Times, "Cancer Patients Challenge the Patenting of a Gene," by John Schwartz, 05/12/09. Read Full Story here. |
"Genae Girard, 39, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2006 and subsequently had her BRCA
genes tested by Myriad."
genes tested by Myriad."
| Article from, World Magazine, "Ownership stakes," by Daniel James Devine, 07/18/09. Read Full Story here. |
"Girard is one woman who knows how to face fear, she teaches classes for business
leaders and support groups: a lesson in taking on the stress and anxiety of breast
cancer."
leaders and support groups: a lesson in taking on the stress and anxiety of breast
cancer."
| Article from, News 8 Austin, "Family Ties: Austin woman takes Myriad Genetics to court," by Crestina Chavez, 10/05/09 9:55 PM Read Full Story here. |
THE WALL STREET JOURNAL
| Article from, The Wall Street Journal, "Genetic Research spurs Fight Over Patents Tied to the Body," by Nathan Koppel, 12/10/09. Read Full Story here. |
"The plaintiffs, who include doctors and women diagnosed with breast cancer, claim Utah-based
Myriad Genetics Inc., which owns various BRCA patents and sells BRCA screening tests, has the
power to block alternative tests and research."
Myriad Genetics Inc., which owns various BRCA patents and sells BRCA screening tests, has the
power to block alternative tests and research."
| Article from, Womens e-News, "Breast and Ovarian Cancer Genes Face Patent Fight," by Susan Elan, 12/10/09. Read Full Story here. |
"Patients and scientists are heading to federal court to challenge a company's right to a
monopoly on diagnostic tests for genes linked to hereditary breast and ovarian cancer."
monopoly on diagnostic tests for genes linked to hereditary breast and ovarian cancer."
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| Article from, Austin American-Statesman, "Cedar Park woman, fearing high cancer risk, chooses hysterectomy, double mastectomy," by Mary Ann Roser, 01/09/10. Read Full Story here. |
"She said she was considering a double mastectomy and having her ovaries removed but as a
single woman with no children she wanted a second opinion and found "I couldn't get
validation" because of the patent."
single woman with no children she wanted a second opinion and found "I couldn't get
validation" because of the patent."
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Genae Girard, one plaintiff, applauded the decision as “a big turning point for all women in the
country that may have breast cancer that runs in their family.”
country that may have breast cancer that runs in their family.”
| Article from, The New York Times, "Judge Invalidates Human Gene Patent," by John Schwartz, 03/29/10. Read Full Story here. |
| Article from, Austin American-Statesman, "Federal judge in New York says company does not have the right to patent genes," by Staff and Wire Reports, 03/29/10. Read Full Story here. |
"In New York on Monday, U.S. District Judge Robert Sweet ruled in favor of Girard and the
other plaintiffs.."
other plaintiffs.."
"She had no children, just a warm circle of friends and family and a great boyfriend she had
been dating for only a few months."
been dating for only a few months."
| Article from, Austin American-Statesman, "Local woman’s book uses humor, hope to tell of losing breasts, ovaries to cancer at 36," by Mary Ann Roser, 02/25/10. Read Full Story here. |
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