During the last week there has been more attention than normal paid to breasts, if you can believe it.  The focus, however, hasn't just on anyone's tatas.  Rather - it has been on mamas' tatas.  

While driving to work last week, I heard that Shanna Moakler, Playboy Playmate of the month 12/2001, flight attendant #3 in The Wedding Singer and mama of 3 (baby daddies:  Travis Barker and Oscar de la Hoya) told TMZ that her boobs are for fun, not for food. 

Shortly after hearing about Shanna Moakler's deep thoughts, I arrived at work and saw a notification on my phone letting me know that Moms eat free at Hooters on Mother’s Day.   Hooters really does go all out for the holidays!  On Valentine's Day one year, their billboard beckoned me to stop in for a spell by promising that "nothing says loving like chicken fingers!"  Is that so?  Huh!  I always preferred a nice bottle of wine.

I know things usually group in threes, so I've been certain that the theme of the week would continue, and viola – today Angelina Jolie made shared her stunning OP-ED in the New York Times.  After learning through a BRACAnalysis, that she had a mutation of the breast cancer predisposition gene (BRCA), Jolie had a double mastectomy in an effort to reduce her risk.  As a result, her risk of breast cancer was reduced from a startling 87% to 5%.  Angelina's decision will not only empower women to take more control over their bodies and their lives, it will raise the issue of gene patenting to a whole new level. In June, the Supreme Court will rule on a landmark case related to the patenting of human genes.  

In a nutshell, Myriad Genetics holds patents on the BRCA1 and 2 genes, and makes the BRACAnalysis, which generates most of the company's revenue.  Breast Cancer Action is the only national breast cancer organization to join the lawsuit against Myriad Genetics.

Where do you stand on this topic?

*Would you get the test?

*If it was determined that you had the gene mutation, would you go to the extreme that Angelina did or would you monitor the situation over time?

*Do you think that companies like Myriad Genetics should be able to profit from patents related to human genes?