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TIL in 1990, Dr. Mary-Claire King discovered the human gene BRCA1 which is linked to breast cancer. Soon after, Myriad Genetics cloned and patented it. She was sent a cease-and-desist letter to stop researching it. Finally in 2013, the US Supreme Court ruled that human genes cannot be patented.

Read more hopkinsmedicine.org

via reddit.com

d8xDr TIL there are microorganisms living on the seafloor that reproduce only once every 10,000 years and have been alive for millions. These are likely the oldest living things on Earth.
PBpG TIL that Samuel L. Jackson has only ever been nominated for an Oscar once (for Pulp Fiction).
N7RQ8 TIL about the jabuticaba tree, the Brazilian grape tree, it is unusual as the berries grow directly on the trunk. They are so popular in some Brazilian states the sidewalk is actually stained purple from their discarded skins of the fruit.
ANJpo TIL in 1984, Harvey Comics sued Columbia pictures due to the logo in Ghostbusters being too similar to that of Fatso from Casper the friendly Ghost. As a result of said Lawsuit, Fatso became a public domain character, and it’s likely that Casper is as well.
p5yO TIL Han Solo was frozen in carbonite in Empire Strikes Back because Harrison Ford was not yet signed on for Return of the Jedi and the producers were unsure if he would come back.