NEW YORK – In a ruling with potentially far-reaching implications for the patenting of human genes, a judge on Monday struck down a company's patents on two genes linked to an increased risk of breast and ovarian cancer.

The decision by U.S. District Judge Robert Sweet challenging whether anyone can hold patents on human genes was expected to have broad implications for the biotechnology industry and genetics-based medical research.

NEW YORK – In a ruling with potentially far-reaching implications for the patenting of human genes, a judge on Monday struck down a company's patents on two genes linked to an increased risk of breast and ovarian cancer.

The ruling by U.S. District Judge Robert Sweet challenging whether anyone can hold patents on human genes was expected to have broad implications for the biotechnology industry and genetics-based medical research.

She's known worldwide for her nasal voice, New York accent, and starring role in the sitcom 'The Nanny,' but now actress Fran Drescher has recast herself as a high-profile foreign envoy, fierce political candidate and potential TV talk show host.

Drescher, 52, a cancer and rape survivor, told ABC News she considers herself a 'visionary' who's trying to change attitudes about women, cancer, and health care around the world – and on Capitol Hill.

She's known worldwide for her nasal voice, New York accent, and starring role in the sitcom 'The Nanny,' but now actress Fran Drescher has recast herself as a high-profile foreign envoy, fierce political candidate and potential TV talk show host.

Drescher, 52, a cancer and rape survivor, told ABC News she considers herself a 'visionary' who's trying to change attitudes about women, cancer, and health care around the world – and on Capitol Hill.

DURHAM, N.C. – In dozens of states, Gary Richards wouldn't have been able to light up a Marlboro before tucking into his meat-lover's pizza, as he did at Satisfaction Restaurant & Bar this week. But in North Carolina, the nation's leading tobacco producer, limits on indoor smoking have lagged behind those in much of the country.

That changes Saturday, when smoking in restaurants and bars is banned in the state that is home to two major tobacco companies and where the golden leaf helped build Duke and Wake Forest universities.

WASHINGTON – Federal health advisers recommended Wednesday against expanding approval of an OSI Pharmaceuticals lung cancer drug to patients who are already responding to chemotherapy.

The drugmaker's shares fell almost 7 percent in afternoon trading.

A spokeswoman for the Food and Drug Administration said the agency's panel of cancer experts voted 12-1 against using Tarceva as a follow-up therapy in patients who have already undergone successful chemotherapy.