[Script Info]
Title: 
[Events]
Format: Layer, Start, End, Style, Name, MarginL, MarginR, MarginV, Effect, Text
Dialogue: 0,0:00:01.42,0:00:04.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It was an afternoon in the fall of 2005.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:05.32,0:00:08.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I was working at the ACLU\Nas the organization's science advisor.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:09.39,0:00:11.100,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I really, really loved my job,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:12.02,0:00:13.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but I was having one of those days
Dialogue: 0,0:00:13.68,0:00:16.25,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,where I was feeling\Njust a little bit discouraged.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:17.26,0:00:21.37,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So I wandered down the hallway\Nto my colleague Chris Hansen's office.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:22.37,0:00:26.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Chris had been at the ACLU\Nfor more than 30 years,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:26.04,0:00:29.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,so he had deep institutional\Nknowledge and insights.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:29.64,0:00:32.61,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I explained to Chris\Nthat I was feeling a little bit stuck.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:33.51,0:00:35.69,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I had been investigating\Na number of issues
Dialogue: 0,0:00:35.72,0:00:41.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,at the intersection of science\Nand civil liberties -- super interesting.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:41.04,0:00:44.95,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But I wanted the ACLU to engage\Nthese issues in a much bigger way,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:44.98,0:00:47.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in a way that could really\Nmake a difference.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:49.60,0:00:51.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So Chris cut right\Nto the chase, and he says,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:51.73,0:00:55.19,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"Well, of all the issues you've been\Nlooking at, what are the top five?"
Dialogue: 0,0:00:55.52,0:00:58.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"Well, there's genetic discrimination,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:58.20,0:01:00.63,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and reproductive technologies,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:00.65,0:01:02.79,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and biobanking, and ...
Dialogue: 0,0:01:02.82,0:01:04.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,oh, there's this really cool issue,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:04.68,0:01:07.33,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,functional MRI and using it\Nfor lie detection, and ...
Dialogue: 0,0:01:07.36,0:01:09.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,oh, and of course, there's gene patents."
Dialogue: 0,0:01:09.50,0:01:11.13,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"Gene patents?"
Dialogue: 0,0:01:11.97,0:01:14.05,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"Yes, you know, patents on human genes."
Dialogue: 0,0:01:14.07,0:01:15.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"No!
Dialogue: 0,0:01:15.60,0:01:18.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,You're telling me that the US government
Dialogue: 0,0:01:18.09,0:01:21.01,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,has been issuing patents\Non part of the human body?
Dialogue: 0,0:01:21.54,0:01:23.23,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,That can't be right."
Dialogue: 0,0:01:23.86,0:01:27.32,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I went back to my office\Nand sent Chris three articles.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:27.95,0:01:31.28,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And 20 minutes later,\Nhe came bursting in my office.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:31.30,0:01:34.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"Oh my god! You're right! Who can we sue?"
Dialogue: 0,0:01:35.33,0:01:36.84,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:01:37.71,0:01:40.09,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Now Chris is a really brilliant lawyer,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:40.11,0:01:43.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but he knew almost nothing\Nabout patent law
Dialogue: 0,0:01:43.04,0:01:45.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and certainly nothing about genetics.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:45.50,0:01:48.38,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I knew something about genetics,\Nbut I wasn't even a lawyer,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:48.41,0:01:50.07,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,let alone a patent lawyer.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:50.09,0:01:53.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So clearly we had a lot to learn\Nbefore we could file a lawsuit.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:54.04,0:01:56.89,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,First, we needed to understand\Nexactly what was patented
Dialogue: 0,0:01:56.92,0:01:58.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,when someone patented a gene.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:59.68,0:02:03.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Gene patents typically contain\Ndozens of claims,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:03.52,0:02:08.30,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but the most controversial of these\Nare to so-called "isolated DNA" --
Dialogue: 0,0:02:08.70,0:02:13.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,namely, a piece of DNA\Nthat has been removed from a cell.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:14.07,0:02:15.37,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Gene patent proponents say,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:15.40,0:02:18.57,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"See? We didn't patent\Nthe gene in your body,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:18.59,0:02:20.53,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,we patented an isolated gene."
Dialogue: 0,0:02:21.15,0:02:22.35,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And that's true,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:22.37,0:02:29.11,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but the problem is that any use\Nof the gene requires that it be isolated.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:30.51,0:02:34.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And the patents weren't just\Nto a particular gene that they isolated,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:34.94,0:02:37.83,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but on every possible\Nversion of that gene.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:38.18,0:02:39.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So what does that mean?
Dialogue: 0,0:02:39.98,0:02:43.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,That means that you can't give\Nyour gene to your doctor
Dialogue: 0,0:02:43.07,0:02:45.36,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and ask him or her to look at it,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:45.39,0:02:47.49,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,say, to see if it has any mutations,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:47.51,0:02:49.59,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,without permission of the patent holder.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:50.36,0:02:54.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It also means that the patent holder\Nhas the right to stop anyone
Dialogue: 0,0:02:54.58,0:02:58.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,from using that gene\Nin research or clinical testing.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:58.87,0:03:00.57,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Allowing patent holders,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:00.59,0:03:01.88,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,often private companies,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:01.90,0:03:06.39,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to lock up stretches of the human genome\Nwas harming patients.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:06.96,0:03:08.11,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Consider Abigail,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:08.13,0:03:10.53,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,a 10-year-old with long QT syndrome,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:10.55,0:03:13.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,a serious heart condition that,\Nif left untreated,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:13.100,0:03:15.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,can result in sudden death.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:16.91,0:03:20.83,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The company that obtained a patent on two\Ngenes associated with this condition
Dialogue: 0,0:03:20.86,0:03:23.34,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,developed a test to diagnose the syndrome.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:23.36,0:03:26.19,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But then they went bankrupt\Nand they never offered it.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:27.06,0:03:28.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So another lab tried to offer the test,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:29.01,0:03:32.00,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but the company that held the patents\Nthreatened to sue the lab
Dialogue: 0,0:03:32.02,0:03:33.21,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,for patent infringement.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:33.23,0:03:34.39,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So as a result,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:34.41,0:03:37.28,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,for 2 years, no test was available.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:38.29,0:03:39.44,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,During that time,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:39.46,0:03:42.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Abigail died of undiagnosed long QT.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:43.78,0:03:47.01,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Gene patents clearly were a problem\Nand were harming patients.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:47.47,0:03:49.87,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But was there a way\Nwe could challenge them?
Dialogue: 0,0:03:50.27,0:03:51.100,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Turns out that the Supreme Court
Dialogue: 0,0:03:52.02,0:03:55.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,has made clear\Nthrough a long line of cases,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:55.16,0:03:57.95,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that certain things\Nare not patent eligible.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:58.92,0:04:01.30,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,You can't patent products of nature --
Dialogue: 0,0:04:02.15,0:04:06.36,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the air, the water, minerals,\Nelements of the periodic table.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:07.17,0:04:09.28,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And you can't patent laws of nature --
Dialogue: 0,0:04:10.19,0:04:12.47,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the law of gravity, E = mc2.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:12.91,0:04:17.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,These things are just too fundamental\Nand must remain free to all
Dialogue: 0,0:04:17.74,0:04:19.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and reserved exclusively to none.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:20.35,0:04:22.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It seemed to us that DNA,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:22.52,0:04:25.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the most fundamental structure of life,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:25.06,0:04:27.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that codes for the production\Nof all of our proteins,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:27.74,0:04:30.96,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,is both a product of nature\Nand a law of nature,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:30.99,0:04:33.69,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,regardless of whether it's in our bodies
Dialogue: 0,0:04:33.72,0:04:35.75,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,or sitting in the bottom of a test tube.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:36.52,0:04:37.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,As we delved into this issue,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:38.00,0:04:41.91,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,we traveled all over the country\Nto speak with many different experts --
Dialogue: 0,0:04:42.59,0:04:46.30,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,scientists, medical professionals,\Nlawyers, patent lawyers.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:46.75,0:04:50.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Most of them agreed that we were right\Nas a matter of policy,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:50.69,0:04:53.47,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and, at least in theory,\Nas a matter of law.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:54.31,0:04:55.47,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,All of them thought
Dialogue: 0,0:04:55.49,0:04:58.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,our chances of winning\Na gene-patent challenge
Dialogue: 0,0:04:58.09,0:04:59.95,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,were about zero.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:01.63,0:05:02.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Why is that?
Dialogue: 0,0:05:03.02,0:05:06.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Well, the patent office\Nhad been issuing these patents
Dialogue: 0,0:05:06.13,0:05:07.83,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,for more than 20 years.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:08.69,0:05:11.57,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,There were literally thousands\Nof patents on human genes.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:12.84,0:05:15.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The patent bar was deeply\Nentrenched in the status quo,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:16.58,0:05:20.20,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the biotech industry had grown up\Naround this practice,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:20.23,0:05:23.35,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and legislation to ban gene patents\Nhad been introduced
Dialogue: 0,0:05:23.37,0:05:24.77,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,year after year in Congress,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:24.79,0:05:26.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and had gone absolutely nowhere.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:27.40,0:05:28.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So the bottom line:
Dialogue: 0,0:05:29.03,0:05:32.20,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,courts just weren't going to be willing\Nto overturn these patents.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:32.92,0:05:37.51,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Now, neither Chris nor I were the type\Nto shy away from a challenge,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:37.54,0:05:40.68,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and hearing, "Being right\Njust isn't enough,"
Dialogue: 0,0:05:40.70,0:05:43.23,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,seemed all the more reason\Nto take on this fight.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:44.31,0:05:46.25,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So we set out to build our case.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:47.49,0:05:50.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Now, patent cases tend to be:\NCompany A sues Company B
Dialogue: 0,0:05:51.01,0:05:54.19,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,over some really narrow,\Nobscure technical issue.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:54.82,0:05:57.19,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We weren't really interested\Nin that kind of case,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:57.21,0:05:59.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and we thought this case\Nwas much bigger than that.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:59.62,0:06:02.11,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,This was about scientific freedom,\Nmedical progress,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:02.14,0:06:03.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the rights of patients.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:03.62,0:06:06.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So we decided we were going\Nto develop a case
Dialogue: 0,0:06:06.75,0:06:09.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that was not like\Nyour typical patent case --
Dialogue: 0,0:06:09.64,0:06:11.53,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,more like a civil rights case.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:12.76,0:06:15.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We set out to identify\Na gene-patent holder
Dialogue: 0,0:06:15.62,0:06:18.41,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that was vigorously enforcing its patents
Dialogue: 0,0:06:18.43,0:06:21.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and then to organize a broad coalition\Nof plaintiffs and experts
Dialogue: 0,0:06:21.75,0:06:23.64,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that could tell the court
Dialogue: 0,0:06:23.66,0:06:28.05,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,about all the ways that these patents\Nwere harming patients and innovation.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:29.40,0:06:32.53,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We found the prime candidate\Nto sue in Myriad Genetics,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:32.55,0:06:35.40,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,a company that's based\Nin Salt Lake City, Utah.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:36.72,0:06:38.97,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Myriad held patents on two genes,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:38.99,0:06:42.31,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the BRCA1 and the BRCA2 genes.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:43.15,0:06:45.88,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Women with certain mutations\Nalong these genes
Dialogue: 0,0:06:45.91,0:06:48.53,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,are considered to be\Nat a significantly increased risk
Dialogue: 0,0:06:48.56,0:06:50.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,of developing breast and ovarian cancer.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:51.83,0:06:53.71,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Myriad had used its patents to maintain
Dialogue: 0,0:06:53.74,0:06:57.95,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,a complete monopoly on BRCA testing\Nin the United States.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:58.54,0:07:02.73,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It had forced multiple labs\Nthat were offering BRCA testing to stop.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:02.76,0:07:04.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It charged a lot of money for its test --
Dialogue: 0,0:07:04.94,0:07:06.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,over 3,000 dollars.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:07.09,0:07:09.42,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It had stopped sharing its clinical data
Dialogue: 0,0:07:09.45,0:07:11.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,with the international\Nscientific community.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:12.52,0:07:14.42,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And perhaps worst of all,
Dialogue: 0,0:07:14.45,0:07:16.88,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,for a period of several years,
Dialogue: 0,0:07:16.91,0:07:20.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Myriad refused to update its test\Nto include additional mutations
Dialogue: 0,0:07:20.65,0:07:24.27,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that had been identified\Nby a team of researchers in France.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:24.97,0:07:27.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It has been estimated\Nthat during that period,
Dialogue: 0,0:07:27.51,0:07:28.88,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,for several years,
Dialogue: 0,0:07:28.90,0:07:32.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,as many as 12 percent of women\Nundergoing testing
Dialogue: 0,0:07:32.68,0:07:35.08,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,received the wrong answer --
Dialogue: 0,0:07:36.38,0:07:40.15,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,a negative test result\Nthat should have been positive.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:41.48,0:07:43.23,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,This is Kathleen Maxian.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:44.17,0:07:47.43,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Kathleen's sister Eileen\Ndeveloped breast cancer at age 40
Dialogue: 0,0:07:47.45,0:07:49.29,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and she was tested by Myriad.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:50.03,0:07:51.76,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The test was negative.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:51.78,0:07:53.31,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The family was relieved.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:53.33,0:07:57.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,That meant that Eileen's cancer\Nmost likely didn't run in the family,
Dialogue: 0,0:07:57.14,0:08:00.16,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and that other members of her family\Ndidn't need to be tested.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:00.84,0:08:02.07,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But two years later,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:02.10,0:08:06.16,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Kathleen was diagnosed\Nwith advanced-stage ovarian cancer.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:06.93,0:08:10.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It turned out that Kathleen's sister\Nwas among the 12 percent
Dialogue: 0,0:08:10.82,0:08:13.69,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,who received a false-negative test result.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:14.35,0:08:17.44,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Had Eileen received the proper result,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:17.46,0:08:19.83,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Kathleen would have then been tested,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:19.86,0:08:22.77,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and her ovarian cancer\Ncould have been prevented.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:24.82,0:08:26.08,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Once we settled on Myriad,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:26.11,0:08:29.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,we then had to form a coalition\Nof plaintiffs and experts
Dialogue: 0,0:08:30.02,0:08:32.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that could illuminate these problems.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:32.13,0:08:34.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We ended up with 20\Nhighly committed plaintiffs:
Dialogue: 0,0:08:35.32,0:08:36.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,genetic counselors,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:36.89,0:08:40.25,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,geneticists who had received\Ncease and desist letters,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:40.90,0:08:42.75,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,advocacy organizations,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:43.53,0:08:46.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,four major scientific organizations\Nthat collectively represented
Dialogue: 0,0:08:46.62,0:08:50.15,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,more than 150,000 scientists\Nand medical professionals,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:50.76,0:08:54.05,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and individual women who either\Ncouldn't afford Myriad's test,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:54.08,0:08:57.08,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,or who wanted to obtain\Na second opinion but could not,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:57.10,0:08:58.85,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,as a result of the patents.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:00.32,0:09:03.76,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,One of the major challenges\Nwe had in preparing the case
Dialogue: 0,0:09:03.78,0:09:06.64,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,was figuring out how best\Nto communicate the science.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:07.08,0:09:10.91,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So in order to argue that what Myriad did\Nwas not an invention,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:10.93,0:09:14.21,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and that isolated BRCA genes\Nwere products of nature,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:15.12,0:09:17.84,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,we had to explain a couple\Nof basic concepts, like:
Dialogue: 0,0:09:17.86,0:09:20.00,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,What's a gene? What's DNA?
Dialogue: 0,0:09:20.03,0:09:23.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,How is DNA isolated,\Nand why isn't that an invention?
Dialogue: 0,0:09:25.17,0:09:29.03,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We spent hours and hours\Nwith our plaintiffs and experts,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:29.05,0:09:31.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,trying to come up with ways\Nof explaining these concepts
Dialogue: 0,0:09:32.01,0:09:33.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,simply yet accurately.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:34.31,0:09:37.64,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And we ended up relying heavily\Non the use of metaphors,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:37.66,0:09:38.82,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,like gold.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:39.79,0:09:42.07,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So isolating DNA --
Dialogue: 0,0:09:42.10,0:09:44.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,it's like extracting gold from a mountain
Dialogue: 0,0:09:45.10,0:09:47.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,or taking it out of a stream bed.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:47.14,0:09:50.82,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,You might be able to patent\Nthe process for mining the gold,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:50.84,0:09:52.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but you can't patent the gold itself.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:53.93,0:09:56.67,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It might've taken a lot\Nof hard work and effort
Dialogue: 0,0:09:56.70,0:09:58.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to dig the gold out of the mountain;
Dialogue: 0,0:09:59.13,0:10:01.41,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,you still can't patent it,\Nit's still gold.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:01.43,0:10:03.19,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And the gold, once it's extracted,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:03.21,0:10:05.30,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,can clearly be used\Nfor all sorts of things
Dialogue: 0,0:10:05.32,0:10:08.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that it couldn't be used\Nfor when it was in the mountain;
Dialogue: 0,0:10:08.08,0:10:10.27,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,you can make jewelry\Nout of it for example --
Dialogue: 0,0:10:10.29,0:10:12.46,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,still can't patent the gold,\Nit's still gold.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:13.36,0:10:17.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So now it's 2009,\Nand we're ready to file our case.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:18.29,0:10:21.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We filed in federal court\Nin the Southern District of New York,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:22.36,0:10:25.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and the case was randomly assigned\Nto Judge Robert Sweet.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:26.60,0:10:29.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,In March 2010, Judge Sweet\Nissued his opinion --
Dialogue: 0,0:10:30.57,0:10:32.43,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,152 pages --
Dialogue: 0,0:10:32.83,0:10:35.09,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and a complete victory for our side.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:35.96,0:10:37.40,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,In reading the opinion,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:37.42,0:10:42.13,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,we could not get over how eloquently\Nhe described the science in the case.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:42.50,0:10:45.28,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I mean, our brief --\Nit was pretty good,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:45.30,0:10:46.87,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but not this good.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:47.78,0:10:51.16,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,How did he develop such a deep\Nunderstanding of this issue
Dialogue: 0,0:10:51.18,0:10:52.34,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in such a short time?
Dialogue: 0,0:10:52.36,0:10:55.97,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We just could not comprehend\Nhow this had happened.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:55.100,0:10:57.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So it turned out,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:57.28,0:11:00.59,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Judge Sweet's clerk\Nworking for him at the time,
Dialogue: 0,0:11:00.62,0:11:02.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,was not just a lawyer --
Dialogue: 0,0:11:02.12,0:11:03.84,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,he was a scientist.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:03.86,0:11:05.46,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,He was not just a scientist --
Dialogue: 0,0:11:05.48,0:11:08.63,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,he had a PhD in molecular biology.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:08.65,0:11:10.40,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:11:10.43,0:11:13.00,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,What an incredible stroke of luck!
Dialogue: 0,0:11:14.06,0:11:15.36,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Myriad then appealed
Dialogue: 0,0:11:15.38,0:11:17.88,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to the US Court of Appeals\Nfor the Federal Circuit.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:18.50,0:11:20.51,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And here things got really interesting.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:21.46,0:11:24.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,First, in a pivotal moment of this case,
Dialogue: 0,0:11:25.19,0:11:27.82,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the US government switched sides.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:28.74,0:11:32.49,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So in the district court the government\Nsubmitted a brief on Myriad's side.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:32.51,0:11:37.64,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But now in direct opposition\Nto its own patent office,
Dialogue: 0,0:11:37.66,0:11:40.37,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the US government files a brief\Nthat states that is has
Dialogue: 0,0:11:40.40,0:11:44.08,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,reconsidered this issue\Nin light of the district court's opinion,
Dialogue: 0,0:11:44.11,0:11:47.29,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and has concluded that isolated DNA\Nis not patent eligible.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:47.82,0:11:49.63,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,This was a really big deal,
Dialogue: 0,0:11:49.65,0:11:51.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,totally unexpected.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:52.77,0:11:54.85,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The Court of Appeals\Nfor the Federal Circuit
Dialogue: 0,0:11:54.88,0:11:56.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,hears all patent cases,
Dialogue: 0,0:11:56.58,0:11:59.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and it has a reputation for being\Nvery, very pro-patent.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:00.30,0:12:02.73,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So even with this remarkable development,
Dialogue: 0,0:12:02.76,0:12:04.43,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,we expected to lose.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:04.46,0:12:05.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And we did.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:06.39,0:12:07.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Sort of.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:08.36,0:12:10.94,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Ends up split decision, 2 to 1.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:11.74,0:12:14.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But the two judges who ruled against us,
Dialogue: 0,0:12:14.26,0:12:16.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,did so for completely different reasons.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:17.28,0:12:19.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The first one, Judge Lourie,
Dialogue: 0,0:12:19.12,0:12:22.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,made up his own novel,\Nbiological theory --
Dialogue: 0,0:12:22.16,0:12:23.33,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,totally wrong.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:23.36,0:12:24.37,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:12:24.39,0:12:26.61,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,He decided Myriad had created\Na new chemical --
Dialogue: 0,0:12:26.63,0:12:28.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,made absolutely no sense.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:28.52,0:12:31.31,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Myriad didn't even argue this,\Nso it came out of the blue.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:31.63,0:12:33.61,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The other, Judge Moore,
Dialogue: 0,0:12:33.63,0:12:37.51,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,said she basically agreed with us\Nthat isolated DNA is a product of nature.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:37.99,0:12:41.32,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But she's like, "I don't want\Nto shake up the biotech industry."
Dialogue: 0,0:12:42.25,0:12:44.82,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The third, Judge Bryson,
Dialogue: 0,0:12:45.23,0:12:46.45,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,agreed with us.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:47.75,0:12:50.28,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So now we sought review\Nby the Supreme Court.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:50.30,0:12:53.01,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And when you petition the Supreme Court,
Dialogue: 0,0:12:53.03,0:12:56.15,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,you have to present a question\Nthat you want the Court to answer.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:56.53,0:13:00.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Usually these questions take the form\Nof a super-long paragraph,
Dialogue: 0,0:13:00.28,0:13:03.31,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,like a whole page long\Nwith lots and lots of clauses,
Dialogue: 0,0:13:03.33,0:13:05.79,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"wherein this" and "therefore that."
Dialogue: 0,0:13:06.29,0:13:10.20,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We submitted perhaps\Nthe shortest question presented ever.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:11.31,0:13:12.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Four words:
Dialogue: 0,0:13:14.22,0:13:16.27,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Are human genes patentable?
Dialogue: 0,0:13:16.92,0:13:19.75,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Now when Chris first asked me\Nwhat I thought of these words,
Dialogue: 0,0:13:19.77,0:13:21.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I said, "Well, I don't know.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:21.17,0:13:24.34,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I think you have to say,\N'Is isolated DNA patentable?'"
Dialogue: 0,0:13:24.97,0:13:26.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"Nope.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:26.49,0:13:31.11,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I want the justices to have\Nthe very same reaction that I had
Dialogue: 0,0:13:31.13,0:13:34.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,when you brought this issue\Nto me seven years ago."
Dialogue: 0,0:13:34.90,0:13:37.05,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Well, I certainly couldn't\Nargue with that.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:37.98,0:13:40.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The Supreme Court only hears\Nabout one percent
Dialogue: 0,0:13:40.89,0:13:42.55,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,of the cases that it receives,
Dialogue: 0,0:13:42.58,0:13:44.17,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and it agreed to hear ours.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:45.77,0:13:49.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The day of the oral argument arrives,\Nand it was really, really exciting --
Dialogue: 0,0:13:49.92,0:13:51.36,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,long line of people outside,
Dialogue: 0,0:13:51.38,0:13:54.15,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,people had been standing in line\Nsince 2:30 in the morning
Dialogue: 0,0:13:54.17,0:13:55.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to try to get into the courthouse.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:55.93,0:13:57.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Two breast cancer organizations,
Dialogue: 0,0:13:57.92,0:13:59.59,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Breast Cancer Action and FORCE,
Dialogue: 0,0:13:59.62,0:14:02.32,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,had organized a demonstration\Non the courthouse steps.
Dialogue: 0,0:14:03.23,0:14:06.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Chris and I sat quietly in the hallway,
Dialogue: 0,0:14:06.78,0:14:09.79,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,moments before he was to walk in and argue
Dialogue: 0,0:14:09.81,0:14:12.13,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the most important case of his career.
Dialogue: 0,0:14:12.76,0:14:15.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I was clearly more nervous than he was.
Dialogue: 0,0:14:16.10,0:14:20.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But any remaining panic subsided\Nas I walked into the courtroom
Dialogue: 0,0:14:20.88,0:14:23.69,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and looked around\Nat a sea of friendly faces:
Dialogue: 0,0:14:24.06,0:14:25.82,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,our individual women clients
Dialogue: 0,0:14:25.85,0:14:28.29,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,who had shared their\Ndeeply personal stories,
Dialogue: 0,0:14:29.21,0:14:32.84,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the geneticists who had taken huge chunks\Nof time out of their busy careers
Dialogue: 0,0:14:32.86,0:14:34.68,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to dedicate themselves to this fight
Dialogue: 0,0:14:35.12,0:14:37.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and representatives from a diverse array
Dialogue: 0,0:14:37.72,0:14:39.61,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,of medical, patient advocacy,
Dialogue: 0,0:14:39.64,0:14:41.71,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,environmental and religious organizations,
Dialogue: 0,0:14:41.74,0:14:45.27,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,who had submitted friend of the court\Nbriefs in the case.
Dialogue: 0,0:14:46.61,0:14:49.63,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Also in the room were three leaders\Nof the Human Genome Project,
Dialogue: 0,0:14:49.66,0:14:52.33,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,including the co-discoverer\Nof DNA himself,
Dialogue: 0,0:14:52.35,0:14:53.64,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,James Watson,
Dialogue: 0,0:14:53.67,0:14:55.81,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,who had submitted a brief to the court,
Dialogue: 0,0:14:55.84,0:14:59.35,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,where he referred\Nto gene patenting as "lunacy."
Dialogue: 0,0:14:59.37,0:15:01.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:15:01.24,0:15:04.88,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The diversity of the communities\Nrepresented in this room
Dialogue: 0,0:15:04.91,0:15:08.35,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and the contributions each had made\Nto make this day a reality
Dialogue: 0,0:15:08.37,0:15:10.67,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,spoke volumes to what was at stake.
Dialogue: 0,0:15:11.39,0:15:13.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The argument itself was riveting.
Dialogue: 0,0:15:14.20,0:15:15.87,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Chris argued brilliantly.
Dialogue: 0,0:15:15.89,0:15:17.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But for me,
Dialogue: 0,0:15:17.16,0:15:20.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the most thrilling aspect was watching\Nthe Supreme Court justices grapple
Dialogue: 0,0:15:20.95,0:15:22.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,with isolated DNA,
Dialogue: 0,0:15:22.54,0:15:25.77,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,through a series of colorful analogies\Nand feisty exchanges,
Dialogue: 0,0:15:25.79,0:15:29.13,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,very much the same way\Nas our legal team had done
Dialogue: 0,0:15:29.16,0:15:30.85,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,for the past seven years.
Dialogue: 0,0:15:31.67,0:15:34.32,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Justice Kagan likened isolating DNA
Dialogue: 0,0:15:34.35,0:15:37.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to extracting a medicinal plant\Nfrom the Amazon.
Dialogue: 0,0:15:38.52,0:15:42.53,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Justice Roberts distinguished it\Nfrom carving a baseball bat from a tree.
Dialogue: 0,0:15:43.100,0:15:46.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And in one of my absolutely\Nfavorite moments,
Dialogue: 0,0:15:46.50,0:15:51.77,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Justice Sotomayor proclaimed isolated DNA\Nto be "just nature sitting there."
Dialogue: 0,0:15:51.79,0:15:52.89,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:15:53.32,0:15:56.19,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We felt pretty confident\Nleaving the courtroom that day,
Dialogue: 0,0:15:56.22,0:15:59.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but I could never have\Nanticipated the outcome:
Dialogue: 0,0:16:00.57,0:16:02.08,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,nine to zero.
Dialogue: 0,0:16:03.02,0:16:06.75,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"A naturally occurring DNA segment\Nis a product of nature,
Dialogue: 0,0:16:06.77,0:16:09.82,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and not patent-eligible merely because\Nit has been isolated.
Dialogue: 0,0:16:10.39,0:16:11.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And furthermore,
Dialogue: 0,0:16:11.76,0:16:14.31,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Myriad did not create anything."
Dialogue: 0,0:16:16.16,0:16:18.16,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Within 24 hours of the decision,
Dialogue: 0,0:16:18.18,0:16:19.57,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,five labs had announced
Dialogue: 0,0:16:19.60,0:16:22.61,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that they would begin to offer testing\Nfor the BRCA genes.
Dialogue: 0,0:16:23.15,0:16:26.63,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Some of them promised to offer the tests\Nat a lower price than Myriad's.
Dialogue: 0,0:16:27.14,0:16:30.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Some promised to provide\Na more comprehensive test
Dialogue: 0,0:16:30.09,0:16:31.77,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,than the one Myriad was offering.
Dialogue: 0,0:16:32.49,0:16:35.33,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But of course the decision\Ngoes far beyond Myriad.
Dialogue: 0,0:16:35.35,0:16:39.75,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It ends a 25-year practice\Nof allowing patents on human genes
Dialogue: 0,0:16:39.77,0:16:40.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in the United States.
Dialogue: 0,0:16:41.38,0:16:46.08,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It clears a significant barrier\Nto biomedical discovery and innovation.
Dialogue: 0,0:16:46.48,0:16:51.38,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And it helps to ensure that patients\Nlike Abigail, Kathleen and Eileen
Dialogue: 0,0:16:51.41,0:16:53.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,have access to the tests that they need.
Dialogue: 0,0:16:54.99,0:16:58.21,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,A few weeks after the court\Nissued its decision,
Dialogue: 0,0:16:58.23,0:17:00.49,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I received a small package in the mail.
Dialogue: 0,0:17:01.25,0:17:02.85,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It was from Bob Cook-Deegan,
Dialogue: 0,0:17:02.88,0:17:05.15,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,a professor at Duke University
Dialogue: 0,0:17:05.17,0:17:08.39,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and one the very first people\NChris and I went to visit
Dialogue: 0,0:17:08.42,0:17:11.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,when we started to consider\Nwhether to bring this case.
Dialogue: 0,0:17:12.03,0:17:14.84,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I opened it up to find\Na small stuffed animal.
Dialogue: 0,0:17:16.34,0:17:19.30,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:17:21.57,0:17:23.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We took a big risk in taking this case.
Dialogue: 0,0:17:24.72,0:17:27.23,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Part of what gave us the courage\Nto take that risk
Dialogue: 0,0:17:27.26,0:17:29.69,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,was knowing that we were doing\Nthe right thing.
Dialogue: 0,0:17:30.08,0:17:33.81,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The process took nearly eight years\Nfrom the start to finish,
Dialogue: 0,0:17:33.83,0:17:36.05,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,with many twists and turns along the way.
Dialogue: 0,0:17:36.58,0:17:38.27,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,A little luck certainly helped,
Dialogue: 0,0:17:38.89,0:17:41.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but it was the communities\Nthat we bridged,
Dialogue: 0,0:17:41.72,0:17:43.82,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the alliances that we created,
Dialogue: 0,0:17:43.84,0:17:45.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that made pigs fly.
Dialogue: 0,0:17:45.80,0:17:46.96,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Thank you.
Dialogue: 0,0:17:46.98,0:17:52.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Applause)