Dear Peg,

Will agree with patenting of drugs, but will never want patenting of genetic information. Smaller companies who want to do research using genetic tissue patented by a large pharmaceutical company are unable to buy the rights to use data. I might add the larger company is then eliminating avenues of research that is not a "moneymaker" but may be an prove to be an incredible medical for the smaller company.

Do you know if you have mutations? My getting that information saved my life by confirming I had Parkinson's disease. I was evaluated by a researcher who decided I had delayed stress syndrome and would not consider me as a candidate for DBS. I had read several studies stating that my particular mutations were controlled well with DBS. I was in ICU two times in summer of 2005 because my kidneys couldn't handle the protein being broken down because of severe dyskenias. I was able to convince the neurologist of his mistaken diagnosis by the results of the test on my Parkin gene and an FDOPA Scan which showed I was moderately advanced.

There is absolutely no reason for researchers to deny research patient volunteers the results of their own DNA. The patient may need the information to learn more about his illness and make better health decisions. The patient cannot change the results of his test so it won't skew or change the results of the outcome of the information.

I finally had DBS surgery in December of 2005 and since then I have been able to see two of my sons married, held my first grandchild, and helped my oldest homeless son by getting him back home, walking him over and getting him enrolled in a truck driving school. He graduated top of his class and is now a productive and sweet man.

Not having open patents of genetic research is a crime. It is a crime against humanity. All mankind will benefit if open patents are made available for genetic research worldwide.

Respectfully,
Vicky Lynn