PATIENT power is getting a global voice through a new movement to represent
people with a range of hereditary diseases. The grouping will support, and may
ultimately control medical research into these illnesses. Its backers also aim
to challenge anti-abortion, animal rights and other lobby groups that oppose
some forms of biomedical research.
The movement will have teeth to back its arguments. One group of supporters
has applied for patents on a gene which causes the distressing disease
pseudoxanthoma elasticum. “With the heavy stick of holding a patent on the gene,
we can accelerate the research process, control royalty and…
