The major life-threatening diseases have complex and multifactorial causes. Genetic mutations in particular genes or gene sequences may contribute towards disease but can hardly be said to 'cause' it. So any advance in genetic medicine will only be one component in any potential successful therapy. Similarly, the development of treatments is still a distant prospect, so what is really at issue is whether companies will be persuaded to undertake the necessary long-term research in the absence of commercial protection. Scientists' understanding of the role of genes is still in its infancy, despite its rapid rate of progress.
Research is essential if genes are going to be persuaded to give up their secrets.
Gene patents, far from promoting this vital research across the scientific community, inhibit it by restricting access to information and knowledge. Openness is the oxygen of biomedical research, but the secrecy required for a successful patent application slows publication and the sharing of important results. Moreover, patenting may undermine public acceptability and confidence in genetics-based medicine. The lack of legally enforceable controls over access to human tissue samples could easily undermine the public's willingness to co-operate with researchers or take part in screening programmes. Blood samples were taken from an indigenous community in a remote part of PNG as part of the Human Genome Diversity project.