The Master of Arts program in Bioethics, Humanities, and Society graduated its final student, Sarah Marzec, this spring. We wish to congratulate her on her accomplishments and wish her well in her future work!
Sarah’s final paper for the MA program discussed patenting gene sequences, an issue which is currently being reviewed by the Supreme Court in the Myriad Genetics’ case. In her paper, Sarah argued that genes should not be patented because they are unique and unlike other forms of property. That is, original patent law is based in Lockean Philosophy and claiming property by patenting is acceptable provided that ‘enough and as good’ is left for others. Genes are unique because there is only one gene sequence in nature. When one person claims a gene as their own property and refuses to let others use it, it does not leave ‘enough and as good for others’ and therefore violates Lockean philosophy and the original intent of patent laws. Currently, Sarah is undergoing residency training to be a pediatrician at Hope Children’s Hospital.
MSU Bioethics 
Congratulations, Sarah! All best wishes.