Business interests are currently seeking to patent genes and genetic material. Their efforts may take the mapping of the human genome a project which was the result of a public-private partnership, and place it beyond use for millions of people engaged in academic and research settings around the world.
Equally problematic is the idea that one's genetic information in light of the Human Genome Project becomes a commodity. If you believe that people are people not products we need to act now. Medical decision-making should be between doctors, patients and their families. Right now, court cases are winding their way through the Federal courts which could impact in the long-term the public's ability to exercise dominion over their genetic futures.