Hi Steve,

My vote goes for advocating for patient rights in research and pharmaceutical reform in general.

H.R. 977 was introduced in February 9, 2007 by Mr. Becerra & Mr. Weldon of Florida which has been referred into the Judiciary Committee. The bill would prohibit patent of human geneic material. The bill is Bipartisan and the introduction speech states:

"The practice of gene patenting is preventing critical research from advancing because scientists are wary of trepassing patent laws," Rep. Weldon stated. "Our bill is a common sense measure to ensure that genes yet unpatented remain the province of science."

Rep. Becarra said, "a patent free genome that does not hinder scientific research, buisness enterprise, or human morality. We seek simply to fix a regulatory mistake. Genes ara a product of nature; they were not created by maan, but insted are the very blueprint that creates man, and thus, are not patentable. Gene patenting would be the analogous equivalent to patenting the air, birds or diamonds."

H. R. 380 is to amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act with respect to the importation of prescription drugs, and for other purposes, entered into the House of Representatives on January 10, 2007.

Section 2 Findings read:

"Congress finds that--

1. Americans unjustly pay up to 5 times more to fill their prescriptions than consumers in other countries;
2. The United States is the largest market for pharmaccceuticals inh the world, yet American consumers pay the highest prices for brand pharmaceuticals in the world.
3. a prescription drug is neither safe nor effective to an individual who cannot afford it;
4. Allowing and structuring the importation of prescription drugs to ensure access to safe and affordable drugs approved by the FDA will provide a level of safety to American consumers that they do not currently enjoy;
5. American spend more than $200,000,000,000 on prescription drugs every year;
6. the Congresional Budget Office has found that the cost of prescription drugs are between 35 to 55 percent less in other highly-developed countries than in the U.S., and
7. promotingcompetitive market pricing would both contribute to health care savings and allow greater access to therapy , improving health and saving lives.

These 2 currently active bills must not be allowed to get lost in committees.

Vicky