Looking at the article, the company developed a test that isolated a particular gene set in women and checked for mutations that indicate an increased risk of breast cancer. They weren't trying to patent the test or method, they were trying to patent the particular gene set they were looking out. I don't see how that is supposed to work. To me, that is like the Wright Brothers taking out a patent for flying (any flying) rather than the patent for the steering and other techniques they developed.