c9 | This Blog Post Breaks U.S. Law (Reply)

• The Earth revolves around the Sun.

• The speed of light is a constant.

• Apples fall to earth because of gravity.

• Elevated blood sugar is linked to diabetes.

• Elevated uric acid is linked to gout.

• Elevated homocysteine is linked to heart disease.

• Elevated homocysteine is linked to B-12 deficiency, so doctors should test homocysteine levels to see whether the patient needs vitamins.

ACTUALLY, I can't make that last statement. A corporation has patented that fact, and demands a royalty for its use. Anyone who makes the fact public and encourages doctors to test for the condition and treat it can be sued for royalty fees. Any doctor who reads a patient's test results and even thinks of vitamin deficiency infringes the patent. A federal circuit court held that mere thinking violates the patent.

Michael Crichton, author of Jurassic Park, The Andromeda Strain, and many other popular novels, has something to say about U.S. patent laws. He may be a complete and utter charlatan when it comes to environmental issues*, but on this one he's bang on.

* An essay on Michael Crichton and Global Warming (PDF)