Urge Congress to Oppose the Patent Eligibility Restoration Act

ASCP is asking pathologists and laboratory professionals to contact their federal legislators and urge them to oppose the Patent Eligibility Restoration Act (PERA). This federal legislation would wipe out existing Supreme Court precedent on patient eligibility, including the landmark case of the Association for Molecular Pathology (AMP) v. Myriad Genetics, in which ASCP was a co-plaintiff. This case involved a rare unanimous decision of the Supreme Court, affirming that "a naturally occurring DNA segment is a product of nature and not patent eligible merely because it has been isolated."

This harmful legislation would allow patents on all biomarkers, including DNA, and their association with health status. The massive changes the legislation would impose risks undermining patient care, monopolizing life-saving medical innovations, and stifling competition.

ASCP has joined with more than 90 other medical associations, patient advocacy groups and others in opposing this legislation.

ASCP is partnering with the Association for Molecular Pathology (AMP) on this issue, and we ask that you use this action alert to urge your elected officials to oppose PERA. Please share this alert with your colleagues.