Patzke_Letters


 * INTRODUCTIONS LETTER**


 * This was the letter that I sent trying to get on the Supreme Court Guest List:**

Dear Dr. Sotomayor,

I know that my colleague, Niranjan Sivakumar, a patient at your office, has spoken to you very briefly about my current research and I value the opportunity to tell you more about my work. I hope that you will be able to forward this request to Justice Sotomayor. I seek permission to attend the oral arguments for Ass. For Molecular Pathology v. Myriad Genetics as a guest of the Justice on April 15th, 2013.

I am a PhD student in the Science and Technology Studies Department at Rennselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, NY. My research is focused on intellectual property and genetic research.

I have followed the Myriad case for the past two years and the question before the Supreme Court for this case is the patentability of human gene sequences. While aspects of previous reviews of this case have focused on Myriad's reluctance to license the BRCA 1 and 2 sequences (affiliated with breast and ovarian cancer), the question before the Justices is focused on whether or not human genes can be patented. The decision of the court will determine what is natural and manufactured when patents address genes and diagnostic treatments. The future implications of the this case are diverse and far reaching, both for genetics and healthcare.

Thank you for your generosity in forwarding this request to witness this unique opportunity to see 'jurisprudence in action.'

Sincerely, Karin Patzke

PhD Student Science and Technology Studies Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute