They probably deserve this patent. (Score 3)

The process which the article is talking about (PCR - Polymerase Chain Reaction) is a significant advancement that has allowed the HGP to progress at amazing speed.

In a nutshell, the process allows a small piece of DNA which was cut out of the genome to be amplified (replicated) repeatedly a few million times. This allows genetecists to examine the piece of DNA on a large scale, therby eliminating a lot of expensive equipment. By staggering the enzymes which are cutting the piece out, the genetic code can be read out directly for a lot of bases at once.

While I believe that patenting of DNA sequences is something we have to come to grips with (and hopefully outlaw), this patent definitely does not fall into that category. If anything, this is a really really elegant hack which allows DNA to be examined by making lots of copies quickly and cheaply. This makes it possible for anyone to do the research. Essentially they are trying to open up the sequencing by coming up with an ingenius technique.

I also really take offense to people who cheer or boo this decision without taking a look at content and only look at the subject heading! Read something carefully before spouting off an opinion and maybe you'll actually make sense.

It's funny because it's true -- Homer J.