Recently, the Supreme Court of the United States reversed a lower court ruling that allowed a company to patent DNA sequences for two cancer genes. The patent prevents other scientists from using these DNA sequences for any reason. The company uses the DNA sequences to market kits used to identify the two types of cancer in humans. The company claims that the gene sequences are its intellectual property. Its owner feels that allowing other people access to the sequences will harm his company financially because the search for the gene sequences was very expensive. But the plaintiff in the case argued that gene sequences are products of nature and cannot legally be patented. The plaintiff explained to the judge that the kits are very expensive. As a result, some patients who need these tests cannot afford to have them done. The plaintiff also pointed out that allowing a company to patent DNA sequences denies other scientists the ability to study the sequences. The Supreme Court agreed with the plaintiff and sent the case back to the lower court to be reviewed.