Who Owns Your Genome?
John Moore, an engineer working on the Alaska oil pipeline, was diagnosed in the mid-1970s with a rare and fatal form of cancer known as hairy cell leukemia. This disease causes overproduction of one type of white blood cell known as a T lymphocyte. Moore went to the UCLA Medical Center for treatment and was examined by Dr. David Golde, who recommended that Moore’s spleen be removed in an attempt to slow down or stop the cancer. For the next 8 years, John Moore returned to UCLA for checkups. Unknown to Moore, Dr. Golde and his research assistant applied for and received a patent on a cell line and products of that cell line derived from Moore’s spleen. The cell line, named Mo, produced a protein that stimulates the growth of two types of blood cells that are important in identifying and killing cancer cells. Arrangements were made with Genetics Institute, a small start-up company, and then Sandoz Pharmaceuticals, to develop the cell line and produce the growth-stimulating protein. Moore found out about the cell line and its related patents and filed suit to claim ownership of his cells and asked for a share of the profits derived from the sale of the cells or products from the cells. Eventually, the case went through three courts, and in July 1990—n years after the case began—the California Supreme Court ruled that patients such as John Moore do not have property rights over any cells or tissues removed from their bodies that are used later to develop drugs or other commercial products.
This case was the first in the nation to establish a legal precedent for the commercial development and use of human tissue.
The National Organ Transplant Act of 1984 prevents the sale of human organs. Current laws allow the sale of human tissues and cells but do not define ownership interests of donors. Questions originally raised in the Moore case remain largely unresolved in laws and public policy. These questions are being raised in many other cases as well. Who owns fetal and adult stem-cell lines established from donors, and who has ownership of and a commercial interest in diagnostic tests developed through cell and tissue donations by affected individuals? Who benefits from new genetic technologies based on molecules, cells, or tissues contributed by patients? Are these financial, medical, and ethical benefits being distributed fairly? What can be done to ensure that risks and benefits are distributed in an equitable manner?
Gaps between technology, laws, and public policy developed with the advent of recombinant DNA technology in the 1970s, and in the intervening decades, those gaps have not been closed. These controversies are likely to continue as new developments in technology continue to outpace social consensus about their use.
Should the physicians at UCLA have told Mr. Moore that his cells and its products were being commercially developed?
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Human Heredity: Principles and Issues (MindTap Course List)
- Who Owns Your Genome? John Moore, an engineer working on the Alaska oil pipeline, was diagnosed in the mid-1970s with a rare and fatal form of cancer known as hairy cell leukemia. This disease causes overproduction of one type of white blood cell known as a T lymphocyte. Moore went to the UCLA Medical Center for treatment and was examined by Dr. David Golde, who recommended that Moores spleen be removed in an attempt to slow down or stop the cancer. For the next 8 years, John Moore returned to UCLA for checkups. Unknown to Moore, Dr. Golde and his research assistant applied for and received a patent on a cell line and products of that cell line derived from Moores spleen. The cell line, named Mo, produced a protein that stimulates the growth of two types of blood cells that are important in identifying and killing cancer cells. Arrangements were made with Genetics Institute, a small start-up company, and then Sandoz Pharmaceuticals, to develop the cell line and produce the growth-stimulating protein. Moore found out about the cell line and its related patents and filed suit to claim ownership of his cells and asked for a share of the profits derived from the sale of the cells or products from the cells. Eventually, the case went through three courts, and in July 1990n years after the case beganthe California Supreme Court ruled that patients such as John Moore do not have property rights over any cells or tissues removed from their bodies that are used later to develop drugs or other commercial products. This case was the first in the nation to establish a legal precedent for the commercial development and use of human tissue. The National Organ Transplant Act of 1984 prevents the sale of human organs. Current laws allow the sale of human tissues and cells but do not define ownership interests of donors. Questions originally raised in the Moore case remain largely unresolved in laws and public policy. These questions are being raised in many other cases as well. Who owns fetal and adult stem-cell lines established from donors, and who has ownership of and a commercial interest in diagnostic tests developed through cell and tissue donations by affected individuals? Who benefits from new genetic technologies based on molecules, cells, or tissues contributed by patients? Are these financial, medical, and ethical benefits being distributed fairly? What can be done to ensure that risks and benefits are distributed in an equitable manner? Gaps between technology, laws, and public policy developed with the advent of recombinant DNA technology in the 1970s, and in the intervening decades, those gaps have not been closed. These controversies are likely to continue as new developments in technology continue to outpace social consensus about their use. Do you think that donors or patients who provide cells and/or tissues should retain ownership of their body parts or should share in any financial benefits that might derive from their use in research or commercial applications?arrow_forwardD) The level of carbon dioxide increases with the level of available oxygen. 60) The TPS3 gene provides instructions for making a protein called tumor protein p53. Known as the guardlan of the genome, this protein acts as a tumor suppressor, which means that it regulates cell division by keeping cells from growing and dividing t0o fast or in an uncontrolled way. The p53 protein is located in the nucleus of cells throughout the body, where it attaches directly to DNA and plays a critical role in determining whether the DNA will be repaired or the damaged cell will self- destruct (undergo apoptosis). If the DNA can be repaired, p53 activates other genes to fix the damage. If the DNA cannot be repaired, this protein prevents the cell from dividing and signals it to undergo apoptosis. Suppose chromosomes in a skin cell are damaged by ultraviolet radiation. If the damaged genes do not affect p53, which choice correctly predict if the cell will become cancerous and why? No, the cell will not…arrow_forwardRetroviruses can cause cancer, along with some viruses with DNA genomes. For example, herpes papillomavirus causes cervical cancer. The HPV genome encodes a protein called E6 that interferes with p53 function, and another protein called E7 that inhibits the function of Rb protein. Explain how HPV causes cancer. Are the viral E6 and E7 protein functions more similar to oncogenes or tumor suppressors?arrow_forward
- This is a blank question. Thank you in advance, Bloom Syndrome Bloom syndrome is a rare genetic disorder. It is characterized by short stature and a long narrow face with prominent nose and ears. There is also increased sensitivity to light. People who have the disorder often develop rashes on their face, forearms, and hands when they have been exposed to the sun. In addition, these people often suffer from chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD) and have a higher chance of developing cancer. The cause of this genetic disorder is a mutation in the BLM gene located on chromosome 15. The immediate effect of this mutation is that there is a defect in the functioning of the DNA helicase enzyme. What would be the effect of this mutation on DNA replication? What stage of the cell cycle would be most affected?arrow_forwardConsider two different genes that are highly expressed in the tissue of your spleen (but not expressed in any other tissue in your body). Which of the following describes something that these two different genes have in common? A) Both of these genes must have the same set of control element sequences associated with them. B) Both of these genes must be present in spleen cells, but absent from the cells in the rest of your body. C) Both of these genes must be located on the same chromosome. D) Both of these genes must be the same length. .arrow_forwardThe Adaptive Immune Response Is a Specific Defense Against Infection Researchers have been having a difficult time developing a vaccine against a certain pathogenic virus as a result of the lack of a weakened strain. They turn to you because of your wide knowledge of recombinant DNA technology and the immune system. How could you vaccinate someone against the virus, using a cloned gene from the virus that encodes a cell-surface protein?arrow_forward
- If you were to compare stem cells to an everyday object or situation, what would they be like and why? I need some examples for this. It's very hard to think of one.arrow_forward1) A) List 15 drugs (monoclonal antibodies can be used) used clinically to treat cancer in humans. These targets must be signal transduction pathway components. B) For each drug, list the specific protein targeted. C) For each drug, describe the efficacy of treatment (i.e. what is the success rate in life extension) as well as appropriate cost of treatment whether it be per round or an average annual cost.arrow_forwardPut the following types of stem cells in order from MOST useful in regenerative medicine to LEAST useful. Group of answer choices adult--multipotent--pluripotent--totipotent totipotent--pluripotent--multipotent--adult adult--pluripotent--multipotent--totipotent adult--totipotent--multipotent--pluripotent pluripotent--multipotent--totipotent--adultarrow_forward
- 4:17 Regarding chronic disease prevention, match each term with the phrase that best describes it Molecule produced by innate immune cells. that is involved in maintaining chronic inflammation A protein produced by the liver that is al frequently used marker of chronic inflammation The degree to which a certain food elevates blood glucose after it's eaten A small molecule that can bind to histones and DNA, frequently with the result of gene silencing An enzyme that rebuilds the end caps of chromosomes after each cell division, thus prolonging the life of the cell [Choose] [Choose] Interleukin-6 TNF-alpha Methyl Tag Glycemic Load C Reactive Protein Glycemic Index Telomerase [Choose] [Choose ] [Choose] Xarrow_forwardone question with multiple parts! 1A) If you were a cancer biologist interested in developing new drugs that will slow down cancer cell metastasis, which of the following strategies would be most effective? a)Develop an activator of mitosis b)Make Her2 protein that is more active on the surface of the cancer cells c) Develop a molecule that increases telomerase activity d) Gene therapy to add a mutated p53 gene to the cancer cells 1B) You are a genetic counsellor, and a couple comes to you with concerns that if they have a child together the child could have the X-linked recessive disease Duchene muscular dystrophy. The man has the disease whereas the woman is a carrier. Which of the following would be a true statement to tell them? a) 100% of their male offspring will likely be carriers of the recessive allele that causes the disease b) 75% of their female offspring will likely be carriers of the recessive allele that causes the disease c) 100% of their male offspring will likely…arrow_forwardOne example of a DNA virus (a virus that uses DNA, not RNA, as its genetic material) that causes tumors is human papillomavirus (HPV). Do some research and explain how HPV inactivates the RB protein and indicate with which type(s) of cancer it is associated. Don’t forget to cite your sources.arrow_forward
- Human Heredity: Principles and Issues (MindTap Co...BiologyISBN:9781305251052Author:Michael CummingsPublisher:Cengage Learning