Reputable organizations, scientists, medical doctors and people of import have already written in support of H.R. 977. Below is a list of the letters that have come in. Click on each “read more” to view and download a pdf of each letter.

Michael Crichton International bestselling author and medical physician May 15, 2007 “Ordinarily we think of patents as promoting innovation and protecting industry, but gene patents do not. They arise from a regulatory error by the patent office, and in just a few short years they have had disastrous consequents…” read more
March Darnovsky Associate Director CENTER FOR GENETICS AND SOCIETY May 17, 2007 “… this bill goes a long way to ensuring that gene patents do not obstruct scientists from pursuing basic research and that private corporations do not exert monopolies over aspects of our common humanity…” read more
Judy Norsigian Executive Director OUR BODIES OURSELVES May 17, 2007 “…the privatization and exclusive control of human genes is not only inhibiting biomedical research, it is also interfering with patient care, and runs counter to traditions in patent law serving to protect the public health and welfare …” read more
George J. Annas Edward R. Utley Professor & Chair Boston University School of Public Health May 18, 2007 “Gene patenting has already gotten out of hand to the great detriment of the public, sick people, physicians, and medical researchers – and even biotech firms.” read more
Michael S. Watson, PhD, FACMG Executive Director AMERICAN COLLEGE OF MEDICAL GENETICS May 22, 2007 “The ACMG believes firmly that gene sequences are naturally occurring substances for which patents should not be awarded…” read more
Joseph Mendelson, III Legal Director International Center For Technology Assessment May 24, 2007 “Patents on genetic material raise many controversial issues involving exclusive control over naturally occurring gene sequences and the significant curtailment of research, diagnoses, and treatment of diseases …” read more
Martin Munzer President & Chief Executive Officer CYGENE LABORATORIES May 25, 2007 “This research could have resulted in a new more accurate test for a much earlier diagnosis of this deadly virus…” read more
Anne Peters, MD Director, USC Clinical Diabetes Program, Professor, USC KECK SCHOOL OF MEDICINE May 28, 2007 “Our ever expanding ability to decode the human genome provides the potential for a myriad of new cures and treatments. However, the patenting of human genes is something I strongly oppose. I believe that this creates to impediments to research, health care delivery and increases health care costs …” read more

Gillian K. Madill Genetics, Society & Environment Campaigner Friends of the Earth July 19, 2007 “Genetic material is the basis for all life, existing in nature since the beginning of the living world. The human genome is shared by all human beings, varying by only a fraction of a percent between persons. This makes human genetic material a common good…” read more