In the case of Association for Molecular Pathology v. Myriad Genetics, Inc. the  U.S. Supreme Court unanimously ruled that a naturally occurring DNA segment is a product of nature and not patent eligible merely because it has been isolated, but synthetic complementary DNA ("cDNA") is patent eligible because it is not naturally occurring.

The distinction is a critical one, as it opens the door for broad application certain genetic testing, while preserving important patent rights for the biotechnology industry.

Jorge Goldstein, Ph.D, of Sterne Kessler Goldstein & Fox PLLC, who is one of the leading pioneers in biotechnology patent law, discusses both legal and scientific ramifications of the case in this podcast interview.