Isolated human genes may not be patented, the Supreme Court ruled unanimously on Thursday. The case concerned patents held by Myriad Genetics, a Utah company, on genes that correlate with increased risk of hereditary breast and ovarian cancer.
The patents were challenged by scientists and doctors who said their research and ability to help patients had been frustrated. The particular genes at issue received public attention after the actress Angelina Jolie revealed in May that she had had a preventive double mastectomy after learning that she had inherited a faulty copy of a gene that put her at high risk for breast cancer.
The price of the test, often more than $3,000, was partly a product of Myriad’s patent, putting it out of reach for some women. The company filed patent infringement suits against others who conducted testing based on the gene. The price of the test is expected to fall because of Thursday’s decision.
The court’s ruling will also shape the course of scientific research and medical testing in other fields, and it may alter the willingness of businesses to invest in the expensive work of isolating and understanding genetic material.
Neko Case has released the first single, “Man,” from her upcoming album, whose title steals a page out of the Fiona Apple playbook: The Worse Things Get, The Harder I Fight, The Harder I Fight, The More I Love You.
As Tyler says, “this is Neko Case at her best: loud, funny, vulgar, and aggressive.” The album is out September 3, 2013 and can be pre-ordered now.
Can’t wait. Every Neko Case album is like unwrapping a Christmas present. Life is just better listening to Neko Case.
Gizmodo put together a fairly quick run through of the new iOS 7. I’m surprised this is so divisive. There are plenty in the Apple camp that love the new design, but there are just as many that seem to hate it. Unlike Herman, I was totally indifferent during the unveil Monday, but after seeing this video I now kind of like it. [via doobybrain]
“Women want sex far more than we’ve been allowed to believe. So suggests a new book that shatters many of our most cherished myths about desire, including the widespread assumption that women’s lust is inextricably bound up with emotional connection. Are men ready to cope with the reality of heterosexual women’s horniness? The evidence suggests we aren’t, at least not yet.”
Does this mean homosexual women aren’t horny? Have gay men already learned to cope with the reality of homosexual men’s horniness? I’m confused.
When Kanye West sits down to spill his guts with the New York Times for a massive in-depth interview it is impossible to block quote. You can’t do it justice. The whole thing is a must read. But, fuck it, let’s give you a taste:
I think what Kanye West is going to mean is something similar to what Steve Jobs means. I am undoubtedly, you know, Steve of Internet, downtown, fashion, culture. Period. By a long jump. I honestly feel that because Steve has passed, you know, it’s like when Biggie passed and Jay-Z was allowed to become Jay-Z.
I’ve been connected to the most culturally important albums of the past four years, the most influential artists of the past ten years. You have like, Steve Jobs, Walt Disney, Henry Ford, Howard Hughes, Nicolas Ghesquière, Anna Wintour, David Stern.
I think that’s a responsibility that I have, to push possibilities, to show people: “This is the level that things could be at.” So when you get something that has the name Kanye West on it, it’s supposed to be pushing the furthest possibilities. I will be the leader of a company that ends up being worth billions of dollars, because I got the answers. I understand culture. I am the nucleus.
It’s like the Grand Canyon of interviews: you expect greatness and Yeezus delivers above and beyond that promise. Nuggets of hilarious pomposity raining down like dollar bills at a strip club, and yet, it’s insightful, riveting, and ultimately revealing. Especially the stuff about making Christmas presents:
But the passion is for humanity. The passion is for people. The passion is for the 18-year-old version of myself. The passion is for the kids at my shows. I need to do more. I need to be able to give people more of what they want that currently is behind a glass. I don’t believe that it’s luxury to go into a store and not be able to afford something. I believe luxury is to be able to go into a store and be able to afford something.
I sat down with a clothing guy that I won’t mention, but hopefully if he reads this article, he knows it’s him and knows that out of respect, I didn’t mention his name: this guy, he questioned me before I left his office:, “If you’ve done this, this, and this, why haven’t you gone further in fashion?” And I say, “I’m learning.” But ultimately, this guy that was talking to me doesn’t make Christmas presents, meaning that nobody was asking for his [stuff] as a Christmas present. If you don’t make Christmas presents, meaning making something that’s so emotionally connected to people, don’t talk to me.
That’s a good lesson for every person and company. Make more Christmas presents.
Apparently, according to science anyway, the debate has been settled and free will shit the bed big time.
Warner Bros has released the first trailer for the next Hobbit film and it’s filled with action, Legolas, and a quick peek at Benedict Cumberbatch’s dragon (that’s not a euphemism!).
Despite being entirely whelmed by Peter Jackson’s first Hobbit flick — seriously, my guess is they are still walking and talking and eating dinner — I will probably be there when this one opens on December 13th. [via BAD]
He tweeted out this photo and of course it landed on the front page of Reddit. Sir Pat Stew continues to win the Internet and the hearts of geeks everywhere.
On a recent episode of Late Night, Jimmy Fallon debuted a video of Brian Williams dropping Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg’s classic G-funk hit, “Nuthin’ but a ‘G’ Thang”. Fallon seems like he can do no wrong at this point.
The first single off Portland band Typhoon‘s upcoming record, ‘White Lighter’, gets a new video. I thought it would be difficult for them to top “Common Sentiment” or “The Honest Truth” but this comes close.
You can buy the single on iTunes and the new record is out 8/20/2013 on Roll Call Records.
