The Genealogy of a Gene: Patents, HIV/AIDS, and Race

C-C chemokine receptor type 5 (CCR5) is a protein on the surface of white blood cells that is used by many forms of HIV to enter the host's cells. Some individuals have a genetic mutation of the related gene that makes them resistant to becoming HIV-positive. Jackson (history of science, New York Univ.-Gallatin; Spectrum of Belief) writes about the CCR5 gene as it relates to intellectual property, science, and technology. He begins with how the gene became patented, its effects on biomedical research funding and intellectual property law, and the European response to the patent. When CCR5 was discovered to be an AIDS virus coreceptor, it became a hot topic in biomedicine and for the pharmaceutical industry. Jackson discusses CCR5's role in race, human diversity, and genetics, including black-and-white illustrations to clarify his explanations. He addresses the important broader implications of biocapitalism, race, and ethnicity in medical studies, and the differences between U.S. and Europe patent processes.