Recently a woman at high risk for breast cancer was directed by her physician to be tested for the breast cancer (BRCA) genes. When her blood was sent to the company that performs the tests, it denied her health insurance and told her she would have to cover the cost ($4,000). No other companies do this test, and she could not afford to have the tests done. It turns out that the company has the patent and thus “owns” the rights to these and several other genes. It can even limit genetic researchers from studying them. In spring, 2010, a judge reversed these patents. Now that you know more about genetics and DNA, what are your opinions about the ownership of the genome? See the video about this subject at: www.youtube.com/watch?v56h6X46-qz14.