[Script Info]
Title: 
[Events]
Format: Layer, Start, End, Style, Name, MarginL, MarginR, MarginV, Effect, Text
Dialogue: 0,0:00:05.34,0:00:08.36,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It was an afternoon in the fall of 2005.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:09.19,0:00:12.89,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I was working at the ACLU\Nas the organization's science advisor.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:13.27,0:00:15.33,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I really, really loved my job,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:16.01,0:00:18.43,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but I was having one of those days
Dialogue: 0,0:00:18.43,0:00:21.40,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,where I was feeling\Njust a little bit discouraged.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:21.40,0:00:25.71,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So I wandered down the hallway\Nto my colleague Chris Hansen's office.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:26.50,0:00:29.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Chris had been at the ACLU\Nfor more than 30 years,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:29.99,0:00:33.27,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,so he had deep institutional\Nknowledge and insights.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:33.77,0:00:36.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I explained to Chris\Nthat I was feeling a little bit stuck.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:37.65,0:00:39.82,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I had been investigating\Na number of issues
Dialogue: 0,0:00:39.82,0:00:44.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,at the intersection of science\Nand civil liberties - super interesting,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:45.00,0:00:49.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but I wanted the ACLU to engage\Nthese issues in a much bigger way,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:49.18,0:00:51.61,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in a way that could really\Nmake a difference.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:53.87,0:00:55.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So Chris cut right\Nto the chase and he says,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:55.99,0:00:59.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"Well, of all the issues you've been\Nlooking at, what are the top five?"
Dialogue: 0,0:00:59.92,0:01:02.49,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"Well, there's genetic discrimination,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:02.49,0:01:04.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and reproductive technologies,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:04.86,0:01:06.75,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and biobanking, and ...
Dialogue: 0,0:01:07.05,0:01:08.94,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Oh! -- there's this really cool issue,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:08.94,0:01:11.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,functional MRI and using it\Nfor lie detection, and ...
Dialogue: 0,0:01:11.52,0:01:13.55,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Oh! and of course, there's gene patents."
Dialogue: 0,0:01:13.55,0:01:15.34,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"Gene patents?"
Dialogue: 0,0:01:15.88,0:01:18.16,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"Yes, you know, patents on human genes."
Dialogue: 0,0:01:18.16,0:01:19.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"No!
Dialogue: 0,0:01:19.81,0:01:22.28,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,You're telling me that the US government
Dialogue: 0,0:01:22.28,0:01:25.53,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,has been issuing patents\Non part of the human body?
Dialogue: 0,0:01:25.53,0:01:27.31,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,That can't be right."
Dialogue: 0,0:01:28.04,0:01:31.68,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I went back to my office\Nand sent Chris three articles.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:32.00,0:01:35.45,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And 20 minutes later,\Nhe came bursting in my office.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:35.58,0:01:39.35,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"Oh my god! You're right! Who can we sue?"
Dialogue: 0,0:01:39.51,0:01:41.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:01:41.68,0:01:43.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Now Chris is a really brilliant lawyer,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:43.54,0:01:46.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but he knew almost nothing\Nabout patent law,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:46.72,0:01:49.33,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and certainly nothing about genetics.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:49.33,0:01:52.15,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I knew something about genetics,\Nbut I wasn't even a lawyer,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:52.15,0:01:53.100,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,let alone a patent lawyer.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:53.100,0:01:58.09,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So clearly we had a lot to learn\Nbefore we could file a lawsuit.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:58.09,0:02:01.15,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,First, we needed to understand\Nexactly what was patented
Dialogue: 0,0:02:01.15,0:02:03.25,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,when someone patented a gene.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:03.80,0:02:07.15,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Gene patents typically contain\Ndozens of claims,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:07.71,0:02:12.76,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but the most controversial of these\Nare to so-called, "isolated DNA."
Dialogue: 0,0:02:13.12,0:02:17.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Namely, a piece of DNA\Nthat has been removed from a cell.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:18.43,0:02:19.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Gene patent proponents say,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:19.86,0:02:23.16,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"See? We didn't patent\Nthe gene in your body,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:23.16,0:02:25.36,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,we patented an isolated gene."
Dialogue: 0,0:02:25.59,0:02:26.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And that's true,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:26.78,0:02:33.45,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but the problem is that any use\Nof the gene requires that it be isolated.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:34.93,0:02:39.05,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And the patents weren't just\Nto a particular gene that they isolated,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:39.05,0:02:42.38,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but on every possible\Nversion of that gene.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:42.67,0:02:44.21,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So what does that mean?
Dialogue: 0,0:02:44.37,0:02:47.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,That means that you can't give\Nyour gene to your doctor
Dialogue: 0,0:02:47.50,0:02:49.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and ask him or her to look at it,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:49.54,0:02:51.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,say, to see if it has any mutations,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:51.54,0:02:53.97,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,without permission of the patent holder.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:54.68,0:02:58.85,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It also means that the patent holder\Nhas the right to stop anyone
Dialogue: 0,0:02:58.85,0:03:02.43,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,from using that gene\Nin research or clinical testing.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:03.72,0:03:05.57,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Allowing patent holders,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:05.59,0:03:06.88,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,often private companies,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:06.90,0:03:11.39,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to lock up stretches of the human genome\Nwas harming patients.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:11.96,0:03:13.11,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Consider Abigail,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:13.13,0:03:15.53,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,a 10-year-old with Long QT Syndrome,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:15.55,0:03:18.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,a serious heart condition that,\Nif left untreated,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:18.100,0:03:20.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,can result in sudden death.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:21.91,0:03:25.83,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The company that obtained a patent on two\Ngenes associated with this condition
Dialogue: 0,0:03:25.86,0:03:28.34,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,developed a test to diagnose the syndrome.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:28.36,0:03:31.19,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But then they went bankrupt\Nand they never offered it.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:32.06,0:03:33.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So another lab tried to offer the test,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:34.01,0:03:37.00,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but the company that held the patents\Nthreatened to sue the lab
Dialogue: 0,0:03:37.02,0:03:38.21,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,for patent infringement.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:38.23,0:03:39.39,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So as a result,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:39.41,0:03:42.28,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,for 2 years, no test was a available.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:43.29,0:03:44.44,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,During that time,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:44.46,0:03:47.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Abigail died of undiagnosed Long QT.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:48.78,0:03:52.01,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Gene patents clearly were a problem\Nand were harming patients.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:52.47,0:03:54.87,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But was there a way\Nwe could challenge them?
Dialogue: 0,0:03:56.86,0:03:58.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Turns out that the Supreme Court
Dialogue: 0,0:03:58.58,0:04:01.46,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,has made clear\Nthrough a long line of cases,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:01.46,0:04:04.77,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that certain things\Nare not patent eligible.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:05.53,0:04:07.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,You can't patent products of nature -
Dialogue: 0,0:04:07.99,0:04:12.17,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the air, the water, minerals,\Nelements of the periodic table.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:13.08,0:04:15.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And you can't patent laws of nature -
Dialogue: 0,0:04:16.30,0:04:18.84,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the law of gravity, E = mc2.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:18.94,0:04:22.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,These things are just too fundamental\Nand must remain free to all,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:23.82,0:04:26.03,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and reserved exclusively to none.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:26.03,0:04:28.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It seemed to us that DNA,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:28.48,0:04:31.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the most fundamental structure of life,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:31.54,0:04:34.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that codes for the production\Nof all of our proteins,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:34.18,0:04:37.16,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,is both a product of nature\Nand a law of nature,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:37.16,0:04:40.20,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,regardless of whether it's in our bodies
Dialogue: 0,0:04:40.20,0:04:42.61,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,or sitting in the bottom of a test tube.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:43.04,0:04:44.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,As we delved into this issue,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:44.58,0:04:48.40,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,we traveled all over the country\Nto speak with many different experts -
Dialogue: 0,0:04:48.97,0:04:52.45,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,scientists, medical professionals,\Nlawyers, patent lawyers.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:53.21,0:04:56.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Most of them agreed that we were right\Nas a matter of policy,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:56.53,0:05:00.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and, at least in theory,\Nas a matter of law.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:00.54,0:05:02.19,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,All of them thought
Dialogue: 0,0:05:02.19,0:05:04.76,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,our chances of winning\Na gene-patent challenge
Dialogue: 0,0:05:04.76,0:05:06.63,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,were about zero.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:07.86,0:05:09.38,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Why is that?
Dialogue: 0,0:05:09.97,0:05:12.85,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Well, the patent office\Nhad been issuing these patents
Dialogue: 0,0:05:12.85,0:05:14.96,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,for more than 20 years.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:15.75,0:05:18.61,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,There were literally thousands\Nof patents on human genes.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:20.06,0:05:22.91,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The patent bar was deeply\Nentrenched in the status quo,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:23.67,0:05:26.89,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the biotech industry had grown up\Naround this practice,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:27.20,0:05:30.51,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and legislation to ban gene patents\Nhad been introduced
Dialogue: 0,0:05:30.51,0:05:32.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,year after year in Congress,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:32.10,0:05:33.77,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and had gone absolutely nowhere.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:34.40,0:05:35.91,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So the bottom line:
Dialogue: 0,0:05:35.91,0:05:39.16,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,courts just weren't going to be willing\Nto overturn these patents.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:40.17,0:05:44.41,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Now, neither Chris nor I were the type\Nto shy away from a challenge,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:44.41,0:05:47.61,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and hearing, "Being right\Njust isn't enough,"
Dialogue: 0,0:05:48.03,0:05:50.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,seemed all the more reason\Nto take on this fight.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:51.64,0:05:53.59,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So we set out to build our case.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:54.83,0:05:58.64,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Now, patent cases tend to be:\NCompany A sues Company B
Dialogue: 0,0:05:58.66,0:06:01.59,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,over some really narrow,\Nobscure technical issue.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:02.50,0:06:04.89,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We weren't really interested\Nin that kind of case,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:04.89,0:06:07.55,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and we thought this case\Nwas much bigger than that.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:07.55,0:06:10.20,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,This was about scientific freedom,\Nmedical progress,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:10.20,0:06:11.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the rights of patients.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:11.72,0:06:14.20,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So we decided we were going\Nto develop a case
Dialogue: 0,0:06:14.20,0:06:16.33,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that was not like\Nyour typical patent case.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:17.19,0:06:19.82,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,More like a civil rights case.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:20.13,0:06:22.96,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We set out to identify\Na gene-patent holder
Dialogue: 0,0:06:22.96,0:06:25.63,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that was vigorously enforcing its patents,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:26.10,0:06:29.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and then to organize a broad coalition\Nof plaintiffs and experts
Dialogue: 0,0:06:29.54,0:06:31.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that could tell the court
Dialogue: 0,0:06:31.12,0:06:35.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,about all the ways that these patents\Nwere harming patients and innovation.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:37.16,0:06:39.95,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We found the prime candidate\Nto sue in Myriad Genetics,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:39.95,0:06:43.15,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,a company that's based\Nin Salt Lake City, Utah.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:44.57,0:06:46.73,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Myriad held patents on two genes,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:46.73,0:06:50.13,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the BRCA1 and the BRCA2 genes.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:50.89,0:06:53.64,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Women with certain mutations\Nalong these genes
Dialogue: 0,0:06:53.64,0:06:56.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,are considered to be\Nat a significantly increased risk
Dialogue: 0,0:06:56.22,0:06:58.34,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,of developing breast and ovarian cancer.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:59.88,0:07:01.87,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Myriad had used its patents to maintain
Dialogue: 0,0:07:01.87,0:07:06.20,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,a complete monopoly on BRCA testing\Nin the United States.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:07.43,0:07:11.40,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It had forced multiple labs\Nthat were offering BRCA testing, to stop.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:11.46,0:07:13.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It charged a lot of money for its test -
Dialogue: 0,0:07:13.66,0:07:15.13,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,over 3,000 dollars.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:15.75,0:07:18.28,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It had stopped sharing its clinical data
Dialogue: 0,0:07:18.28,0:07:20.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,with the international\Nscientific community.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:21.28,0:07:23.32,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And perhaps worst of all,
Dialogue: 0,0:07:23.32,0:07:25.45,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,for a period of several years,
Dialogue: 0,0:07:25.55,0:07:29.16,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Myriad refused to update its test\Nto include additional mutations
Dialogue: 0,0:07:29.17,0:07:33.37,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that had been identified\Nby a team of researchers in France.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:33.91,0:07:36.21,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It has been estimated\Nthat during that period,
Dialogue: 0,0:07:36.21,0:07:37.57,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,for several years,
Dialogue: 0,0:07:37.57,0:07:41.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,as many as 12 percent of women\Nundergoing testing
Dialogue: 0,0:07:41.72,0:07:44.91,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,received the wrong answer -
Dialogue: 0,0:07:44.91,0:07:48.81,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,a negative test result\Nthat should have been positive.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:50.32,0:07:51.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,This is Kathleen Maxian.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:52.90,0:07:56.55,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Kathleen's sister Eileen\Ndeveloped breast cancer at age 40
Dialogue: 0,0:07:56.55,0:07:58.38,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and she was tested by Myriad.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:59.19,0:08:01.11,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The test was negative.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:01.11,0:08:02.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The family was relieved.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:02.50,0:08:05.84,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,That meant that Eileen's cancer\Nmost likely didn't run in the family,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:05.84,0:08:08.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and that other members of her family\Ndidn't need to be tested.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:09.64,0:08:11.42,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But two years later,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:11.42,0:08:15.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Kathleen was diagnosed\Nwith advanced-stage ovarian cancer.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:16.05,0:08:19.89,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It turned out that Kathleen's sister\Nwas among the 12 percent
Dialogue: 0,0:08:19.89,0:08:22.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,who received a false-negative test result.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:23.40,0:08:26.69,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Had Eileen received the proper result,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:26.69,0:08:28.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Kathleen would have then been tested,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:28.80,0:08:31.39,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and her ovarian cancer\Ncould have been prevented.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:33.95,0:08:35.38,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Once we settled on Myriad,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:35.38,0:08:39.16,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,we then had to form a coalition\Nof plaintiffs and experts
Dialogue: 0,0:08:39.16,0:08:41.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that could illuminate these problems.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:41.56,0:08:43.96,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We ended up with 20\Nhighly committed plaintiffs,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:45.09,0:08:46.61,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,genetic counselors,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:46.61,0:08:49.82,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,geneticists who had received\Ncease and desist letters,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:50.12,0:08:52.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,advocacy organizations,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:52.56,0:08:56.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,four major scientific organizations\Nthat collectively represented
Dialogue: 0,0:08:56.26,0:08:59.51,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,more than 150,000 scientists\Nand medical professionals
Dialogue: 0,0:09:00.31,0:09:03.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and individual women who either\Ncouldn't afford Myriad's test,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:03.52,0:09:06.88,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,or who wanted to obtain\Na second opinion but could not,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:06.88,0:09:08.65,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,as a result of the patents.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:10.11,0:09:13.03,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,One of the major challenges\Nwe had in preparing the case
Dialogue: 0,0:09:13.03,0:09:16.41,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,was figuring out how best\Nto communicate the science.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:16.41,0:09:21.19,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So in order to argue that what Myriad did\Nwas not an invention,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:21.19,0:09:24.34,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and that isolated BRCA genes\Nwere products of nature,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:24.86,0:09:28.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,we had to explain a couple\Nof basic concepts, like:
Dialogue: 0,0:09:28.12,0:09:30.47,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,What's a gene? What's DNA?
Dialogue: 0,0:09:30.47,0:09:34.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,How is DNA isolated,\Nand why isn't that an invention?
Dialogue: 0,0:09:35.02,0:09:38.68,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We spent hours and hours\Nwith our plaintiffs and experts,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:38.68,0:09:42.19,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,trying to come up with ways\Nof explaining these concepts
Dialogue: 0,0:09:42.19,0:09:43.97,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,simply yet accurately.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:43.97,0:09:47.45,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And we ended up relying heavily\Non the use of metaphors,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:47.83,0:09:49.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,like gold.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:50.02,0:09:52.39,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So isolating DNA -
Dialogue: 0,0:09:52.39,0:09:54.82,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,it's like extracting gold from a mountain,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:54.82,0:09:57.34,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,or taking it out of a stream bed.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:59.50,0:10:03.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,You might be able to patent\Nthe process for mining the gold,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:03.14,0:10:05.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but you can't patent the gold itself.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:06.26,0:10:08.55,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It might've taken a lot\Nof hard work and effort
Dialogue: 0,0:10:08.55,0:10:10.73,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to dig the gold out of the mountain;
Dialogue: 0,0:10:10.73,0:10:13.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,you still can't patent it,\Nit's still gold.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:13.80,0:10:15.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And the gold, once it's extracted,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:15.52,0:10:17.75,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,can clearly be used\Nfor all sorts of things
Dialogue: 0,0:10:17.75,0:10:20.46,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that it couldn't be used\Nfor when it was in the mountain;
Dialogue: 0,0:10:20.46,0:10:22.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,you can make jewelry\Nout of it for example -
Dialogue: 0,0:10:22.72,0:10:25.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,still can't patent the gold,\Nit's still gold.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:26.57,0:10:30.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So now it's 2009,\Nand we're ready to file our case.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:31.54,0:10:34.95,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We filed in federal court\Nin the southern district of New York,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:36.03,0:10:39.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and the case was randomly assigned\Nto Judge Robert Sweet.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:39.90,0:10:43.20,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,In March 2010, Judge Sweet\Nissued his opinion -
Dialogue: 0,0:10:44.02,0:10:46.05,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,152 pages -
Dialogue: 0,0:10:46.05,0:10:48.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and a complete victory for our side.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:49.65,0:10:51.31,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,In reading the opinion,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:51.31,0:10:56.94,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,we could not get over how eloquently\Nhe described the science in the case.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:57.57,0:10:59.71,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I mean, our brief -\Nit was pretty good,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:59.71,0:11:01.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but not this good.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:02.80,0:11:06.89,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,How did he develop such a deep\Nunderstanding of this issue
Dialogue: 0,0:11:06.89,0:11:08.42,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in such a short time?
Dialogue: 0,0:11:08.42,0:11:11.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We just could not comprehend\Nhow this had happened.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:11.73,0:11:13.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So it turned out,
Dialogue: 0,0:11:13.10,0:11:16.33,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Judge Sweet's clerk\Nworking for him at the time,
Dialogue: 0,0:11:16.33,0:11:18.21,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,was not just a lawyer -
Dialogue: 0,0:11:18.21,0:11:19.81,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,he was a scientist.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:19.81,0:11:21.43,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,He was not just a scientist -
Dialogue: 0,0:11:21.43,0:11:23.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,he had a PhD in molecular biology.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:24.75,0:11:26.41,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:11:26.41,0:11:28.73,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,What an incredible stroke of luck!
Dialogue: 0,0:11:29.95,0:11:30.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Myriad then appealed
Dialogue: 0,0:11:30.98,0:11:34.41,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to the US Court of Appeals\Nfor the Federal Circuit.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:34.41,0:11:36.84,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And here things got really interesting.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:37.25,0:11:40.41,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,First, in a pivotal moment of this case,
Dialogue: 0,0:11:41.02,0:11:44.03,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the US government switched sides.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:44.72,0:11:48.34,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So in the district court the government\Nsubmitted a brief on Myriad's side.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:48.34,0:11:53.23,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But now in direct opposition\Nto its own patent office,
Dialogue: 0,0:11:53.23,0:11:56.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the US government files a brief\Nthat states that is has
Dialogue: 0,0:11:56.48,0:11:59.96,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"reconsidered this issue\Nin light of the district court's opinion,
Dialogue: 0,0:11:59.96,0:12:03.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and has concluded that isolated DNA\Nis not patent eligible."
Dialogue: 0,0:12:03.63,0:12:05.55,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,This was a really big deal,
Dialogue: 0,0:12:05.55,0:12:07.09,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,totally unexpected.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:08.31,0:12:10.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The Court of Appeals\Nfor the Federal Circuit
Dialogue: 0,0:12:10.56,0:12:12.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,hears all patent cases,
Dialogue: 0,0:12:12.26,0:12:15.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and it has a reputation for being\Nvery, very pro-patent.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:15.70,0:12:18.51,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So even with this remarkable development,
Dialogue: 0,0:12:18.51,0:12:20.11,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,we expected to lose.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:20.33,0:12:21.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And we did.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:22.32,0:12:23.71,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Sort of.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:24.74,0:12:27.28,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Ends up split decision, 2 to 1.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:28.14,0:12:30.67,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But the two judges who ruled against us,
Dialogue: 0,0:12:30.67,0:12:33.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,did so for completely different reasons.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:33.53,0:12:35.39,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The first one, Judge Lourie,
Dialogue: 0,0:12:35.39,0:12:38.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,made up his own novel,\Nbiological theory -
Dialogue: 0,0:12:38.10,0:12:39.51,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,totally wrong.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:39.75,0:12:40.96,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:12:40.96,0:12:43.19,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Decided Myriad had created\Na new chemical -
Dialogue: 0,0:12:43.19,0:12:45.11,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,made absolutely no sense.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:45.21,0:12:48.94,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Myriad didn't even argue this,\Nso it came out of the blue.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:49.52,0:12:51.49,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The other, Judge Moore,
Dialogue: 0,0:12:51.49,0:12:55.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,said she basically agreed with us\Nthat isolated DNA is a product of nature.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:56.67,0:13:00.46,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But she's like, "I don't want\Nto shake up the biotech industry."
Dialogue: 0,0:13:02.23,0:13:04.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I can think of a lot of things
Dialogue: 0,0:13:04.10,0:13:08.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that if judges had said that, we'd be\Nin a very different society right now.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:08.70,0:13:11.29,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The third, Judge Bryson,
Dialogue: 0,0:13:11.29,0:13:12.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,agreed with us.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:13.85,0:13:16.67,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So now we sought review\Nby the Supreme Court.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:16.67,0:13:19.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And when you petition the Supreme Court,
Dialogue: 0,0:13:19.12,0:13:22.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,you have to present a question\Nthat you want the court to answer.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:22.62,0:13:26.81,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Usually these questions take the form\Nof a super-long paragraph,
Dialogue: 0,0:13:26.81,0:13:29.69,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,like a whole page long\Nwith lots and lots of clauses,
Dialogue: 0,0:13:29.69,0:13:31.79,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"wherein this" and "therefore that."
Dialogue: 0,0:13:32.44,0:13:36.47,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We submitted perhaps\Nthe shortest question presented ever.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:37.54,0:13:39.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Four words:
Dialogue: 0,0:13:40.72,0:13:43.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Are human genes patentable?
Dialogue: 0,0:13:43.14,0:13:46.01,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Now when Chris first asked me\Nwhat I thought of these words,
Dialogue: 0,0:13:46.01,0:13:47.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I said, "Well, I don't know.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:47.52,0:13:50.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I think you have to say,\N'Is isolated DNA patentable?'"
Dialogue: 0,0:13:51.14,0:13:52.40,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"Nope.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:52.40,0:13:57.16,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I want the justices to have\Nthe very same reaction that I had
Dialogue: 0,0:13:57.16,0:14:00.65,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,when you brought this issue\Nto me seven years ago."
Dialogue: 0,0:14:00.99,0:14:03.30,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Well, I certainly couldn't\Nargue with that.
Dialogue: 0,0:14:03.92,0:14:07.59,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The Supreme Court only hears\Nabout one percent
Dialogue: 0,0:14:07.59,0:14:09.35,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,of the cases that it receives,
Dialogue: 0,0:14:09.35,0:14:11.09,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and it agreed to hear ours.
Dialogue: 0,0:14:12.13,0:14:16.13,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The day of the oral argument arrives\Nand it was really, really exciting -
Dialogue: 0,0:14:16.13,0:14:18.03,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,long line of people outside,
Dialogue: 0,0:14:18.03,0:14:20.93,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,people had been standing in line\Nsince 2:30 in the morning
Dialogue: 0,0:14:20.93,0:14:22.76,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to try to get into the courthouse.
Dialogue: 0,0:14:22.76,0:14:24.76,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Two breast cancer organizations,
Dialogue: 0,0:14:24.76,0:14:27.17,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Breast Cancer Action and FORCE,
Dialogue: 0,0:14:27.17,0:14:29.88,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,had organized a demonstration\Non the courthouse steps.
Dialogue: 0,0:14:29.88,0:14:32.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Chris and I sat quietly in the hallway,
Dialogue: 0,0:14:33.63,0:14:36.61,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,moments before he was to walk in and argue
Dialogue: 0,0:14:36.61,0:14:38.67,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the most important case of his career.
Dialogue: 0,0:14:39.41,0:14:41.83,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I was clearly more nervous than he was.
Dialogue: 0,0:14:42.21,0:14:45.21,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It's a good thing he was arguing,\Nand not me.
Dialogue: 0,0:14:45.35,0:14:48.89,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And I sat there, sort of thinking,\N"Oh, God, is he ready?
Dialogue: 0,0:14:49.72,0:14:53.43,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Did I do everything I could have done\Nto help prepare him for this day?"
Dialogue: 0,0:14:53.47,0:14:58.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But any remaining panic subsided\Nas I walked into the courtroom
Dialogue: 0,0:14:58.60,0:15:01.34,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and looked around\Nat a sea of friendly faces:
Dialogue: 0,0:15:01.34,0:15:03.38,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,our individual women clients,
Dialogue: 0,0:15:03.38,0:15:06.49,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,who had shared their\Ndeeply personal stories;
Dialogue: 0,0:15:06.49,0:15:10.67,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the geneticists who had taken huge chunks\Nof time out of their busy careers
Dialogue: 0,0:15:10.67,0:15:12.65,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to dedicate themselves to this fight;
Dialogue: 0,0:15:12.65,0:15:15.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and representatives from a diverse array
Dialogue: 0,0:15:15.18,0:15:17.47,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,of medical, patient advocacy,
Dialogue: 0,0:15:17.47,0:15:19.65,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,environmental and religious organizations,
Dialogue: 0,0:15:19.65,0:15:23.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,who had submitted friend of the court\Nbriefs in the case.
Dialogue: 0,0:15:24.30,0:15:27.36,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Also in the room were three leaders\Nof the Human Genome Project,
Dialogue: 0,0:15:27.36,0:15:30.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,including the co-discoverer\Nof DNA himself,
Dialogue: 0,0:15:30.04,0:15:31.30,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,James Watson,
Dialogue: 0,0:15:31.30,0:15:33.34,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,who had submitted a brief to the court,
Dialogue: 0,0:15:33.34,0:15:36.82,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,where he referred\Nto gene patenting as "lunacy."
Dialogue: 0,0:15:37.76,0:15:39.25,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:15:39.25,0:15:42.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The diversity of the communities\Nrepresented in this room
Dialogue: 0,0:15:42.22,0:15:45.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and the contributions each had made\Nto make this day a reality
Dialogue: 0,0:15:45.90,0:15:48.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,spoke volumes to what was at stake.
Dialogue: 0,0:15:49.15,0:15:51.32,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The argument itself was riveting.
Dialogue: 0,0:15:51.67,0:15:53.47,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Chris argued brilliantly.
Dialogue: 0,0:15:53.47,0:15:54.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But for me,
Dialogue: 0,0:15:54.92,0:15:58.89,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the most thrilling aspect was watching\Nthe Supreme Court Justices grapple
Dialogue: 0,0:15:58.89,0:16:00.51,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,with isolated DNA,
Dialogue: 0,0:16:00.51,0:16:05.29,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,through a series of colorful analogies\Nand feisty exchanges,
Dialogue: 0,0:16:05.29,0:16:09.03,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,very much the same way\Nas our legal team had done
Dialogue: 0,0:16:09.03,0:16:10.75,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,for the past seven years.
Dialogue: 0,0:16:11.57,0:16:13.95,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Justice Kagan likened isolating DNA
Dialogue: 0,0:16:13.95,0:16:17.55,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to extracting a medicinal plant\Nfrom the Amazon.
Dialogue: 0,0:16:18.69,0:16:23.05,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Justice Roberts distinguished it\Nfrom carving a baseball bat from a tree.
Dialogue: 0,0:16:24.73,0:16:27.36,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And in one of my absolutely\Nfavorite moments,
Dialogue: 0,0:16:27.36,0:16:32.28,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Justice Sotomayor proclaimed isolated DNA\Nto be "just nature sitting there."
Dialogue: 0,0:16:32.67,0:16:34.35,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:16:34.35,0:16:37.01,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We felt pretty confident\Nleaving the courtroom that day,
Dialogue: 0,0:16:37.01,0:16:40.33,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but I could never have\Nanticipated the outcome:
Dialogue: 0,0:16:41.14,0:16:42.76,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Nine to zero.
Dialogue: 0,0:16:44.93,0:16:48.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"A naturally occurring DNA segment\Nis a product of nature,
Dialogue: 0,0:16:48.62,0:16:51.45,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and not patent-eligible merely because\Nit has been isolated.
Dialogue: 0,0:16:52.00,0:16:53.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And furthermore,
Dialogue: 0,0:16:53.24,0:16:55.81,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Myriad did not create anything."
Dialogue: 0,0:16:58.05,0:16:59.63,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Within 24 hours of the decision,
Dialogue: 0,0:16:59.63,0:17:01.36,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,five labs had announced
Dialogue: 0,0:17:01.36,0:17:04.42,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that they would begin to offer testing\Nfor the BRCA genes.
Dialogue: 0,0:17:04.99,0:17:08.95,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Some of them promised to offer the tests\Nat a lower price than Myriad's.
Dialogue: 0,0:17:08.95,0:17:11.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Some promised to provide\Na more comprehensive test
Dialogue: 0,0:17:11.90,0:17:13.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,than the one Myriad was offering.
Dialogue: 0,0:17:14.36,0:17:16.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But of course the decision\Ngoes far beyond Myriad.
Dialogue: 0,0:17:16.86,0:17:21.33,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It ends a 25-year practice\Nof allowing patents on human genes
Dialogue: 0,0:17:21.33,0:17:22.88,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in the United States.
Dialogue: 0,0:17:22.88,0:17:27.27,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It clears a significant barrier\Nto biomedical discovery and innovation.
Dialogue: 0,0:17:28.09,0:17:32.87,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And it helps to ensure that patients\Nlike Abigail, Kathleen and Eileen
Dialogue: 0,0:17:32.87,0:17:35.33,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,have access to the tests that they need.
Dialogue: 0,0:17:37.23,0:17:39.87,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,A few weeks after the court\Nissued its decision,
Dialogue: 0,0:17:39.87,0:17:42.31,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I received a small package in the mail.
Dialogue: 0,0:17:43.32,0:17:45.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It was from Bob Cook-Deegan,
Dialogue: 0,0:17:45.10,0:17:47.17,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,a professor at Duke University,
Dialogue: 0,0:17:47.17,0:17:50.41,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and one the very first people\NChris and I went to visit
Dialogue: 0,0:17:50.41,0:17:54.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,when we started to consider\Nwhether to bring this case.
Dialogue: 0,0:17:55.74,0:17:58.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I opened it up to find\Na small stuffed animal.
Dialogue: 0,0:17:59.37,0:18:02.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:18:05.27,0:18:07.76,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We took a big risk in taking this case.
Dialogue: 0,0:18:08.07,0:18:11.05,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Part of what gave us the courage\Nto take that risk
Dialogue: 0,0:18:11.05,0:18:13.61,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,was knowing that we were doing\Nthe right thing.
Dialogue: 0,0:18:13.61,0:18:17.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The process took nearly eight years\Nfrom the start to finish,
Dialogue: 0,0:18:17.14,0:18:19.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,with many twists and turns along the way.
Dialogue: 0,0:18:20.22,0:18:22.34,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,A little luck certainly helped,
Dialogue: 0,0:18:22.34,0:18:25.39,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but it was the communities\Nthat we bridged,
Dialogue: 0,0:18:25.39,0:18:27.20,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the alliances that we created,
Dialogue: 0,0:18:27.20,0:18:29.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that made pigs fly.
Dialogue: 0,0:18:29.12,0:18:30.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Thank you.
Dialogue: 0,0:18:30.52,0:18:32.57,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Applause)