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Patently Ours? Constitutional Challenges To Dna Patents, Vincent Ling

Vincent Y. Ling

This Comment analyzes constitutional issues raised by gene patenting and details how the issues apply to various types of DNA patents. In Association for Molecular Pathology v. U.S. Patent & Trademark Office, the Federal Circuit recently held that genes and DNA sequences are patentable under the federal statute for patent eligible subject matter, 35 U.S.C. § 101, but courts have thus far avoided addressing the constitutional challenges raised by plaintiffs. This Comment confronts those constitutional issues and makes a determination as to their strengths and weaknesses. Moreover, it explores additional constitutional issues that may become more salient over time. Ultimately, …