In a Reuters article appearing in the Baltimore Sun, Chicago Tribune, and on CNBC, among others, Professor Robert Field commented on the U.S. Supreme Court's recent ruling on gene patenting.

In Association for Molecular Pathology v. Myriad Genetics, Inc., the U.S. Supreme unanimously declared naturally occurring DNA segments that are a product of nature, not patentable.  However, the court found that companies could patent synthetic complementary DNA segments. 

Professor Field, who has previously discussed the case with the Philadelphia Inquirer and others, told Reuters that the decision does not prevent biotech companies from developing other gene patents.  The decision still gives biotech companies with existing, but expiring, patents the freedom to patent other synthetic genes to make new medicines, Field said. 

Field is nationally recognized expert on health policy and law.  The Inquirer hosts Field's health law and policy blog, The Field Clinic, to which Class of 2013 alumna, Erica Cohen and 3L Katheryne Lawrence contribute.