US justices wary of wide human gene patent ruling

The US Supreme Court justices Monday raised tough questions about patents on human genes held by Myriad Genetics Inc. The nine justices signalled reluctance to issue a broad ruling,indicating that some were looking for a compromise that might distinguish between types of genetic material.

The biotechnology industry warns that a broad ruling against Myriad could threaten billions of dollars of investment.

A group of medical researchers,associations and patients say human genes,including synthetically produced material,should not be patented. They sued in 2009,challenging seven patents owned by or licensed to Myriad on two human genes linked to breast and ovarian cancer.