This Blog Post Breaks U.S. Law

[c9]

• 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)

Comments

[sassy-red-head.livejournal.com]

WTF? Every day I am more happy to be living in Canada. I have a B-12 deficiency and I would hate for my doctor not to tell me because of fear of being sued!

If she didn't tell me I brobably would be sleeping my life away right now.

[c9.livejournal.com]

Don't get too comfortable -- we're doing some crazy shit with intellectual property and patent laws here too, just we're behind the curve. It's important to keep an eye on government and big business so we don't end up in the same traps.

[sassy-red-head.livejournal.com]

Oh I know. My ex's brother was spearheading the privacy laws for a while and it was a little messed up.