› added 5 years ago

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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

DQNoD TIL the Michelin man is actually called Bibendum owning to the Latin slogan ‘Nunc est bibendum’ = “Now is the time to drink”
Eg8Mo TIL of the Lunada Bay Boys, beginning in the 60s as a peaceful surfing club for Palos Verdes residents. It would devolve into a territorial surfer gang that would harass non local beachgoers and destroy their property. By 2017, approx. one-quarter to one half of the local surfers are members.
k58E TIL that humans aren’t the only species that commits suicide. Dogs, ducks, and whales also exhibit self-destructive behavior after the death of an owner or a mate.
VeK8 TIL The Washington Generals broke a 2495-game losing streak by accidentally beating the Harlem Globetrotters 100-99
69bX TIL Dave Grohl was invited to join “Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers” in 1994, but declined due to the upcoming debut album of Foo Fighters.