Frightening, no? There is a very interesting op-ed piece by Michael Crichton on the NYTimes.com today. In 1986 researchers filed a patent application for testing for certain amino acids in the blood.
They went one step further and asked for a patent on the basic biological relationship between homocysteine and vitamin deficiency. A patent was granted that covered both the test and the scientific fact. Eventually, a company called Metabolite took over the license for the patent.
The company Metabolite sued another company, Labratory Corp. for infringing on said patent, and won. So, if I were to suggest that I was suffering from a vitamin deficiency that I could technically be in violation of their patent. I worry about how the world is changing. After the disasterous events of Sept. 11, the neo-conservatives have lept to action. The key phrase was uttered by George W. Bush, “If you’re not with us, you’re against us.” Thus a modern dark time was born. The inference was made that to contradict the government was a treasonous act. Then the cavalcade began, the Patriot Act, The invasion of Afghanistan, and the war in Iraq. The neo-conservatives of the Bush White House have fought to control the hearts and minds of the people. Companies have taken it upon themselves to capitalize on this mood.
It’s not all bad news however. Today I went to see the movie “V is for Vendetta“. This movie is rather brilliant. And, at the same time, alarming. Why? Simply put, it is a mirror of our times. A totalitarian regime has a firm grasp around the throats of their people. Using fear and intimidation to control. Sound familiar? Thankfully the American people do not need violence. What they need is to vote. And when that time comes they need to vote wisely. As we have seen, Bush and his cadre are losing favor with the people as his numbers slip ever lower. So, as the corporations attempt to cash in and even patent thoughts. Their time is limited. “People should not be afraid of their governments. Governments should be afraid of their people.“