The Hidden Prices We Pay for Genetically Modified Seeds
Last week, the Supreme Court ruled that Monsanto can control how farmers use its genetically-modified soybean seeds. Here's why those little beans are a big deal to you.
supreme court
Breast Cancer Gene: Why Most Women Can't Do What Jolie Did
When it comes to breast cancer, your health care can be trumped by your finances: Even if your best bet is to follow in Angelia Jolie's footsteps, you may not be able to.
Monsanto Wins GMO Seed Patent Fight at Supreme Court
The Supreme Court said an Indiana farmer violated Monsanto patents on soybean seeds that are resistant to its weed-killer by growing additional crops without buying new beans.
Supreme Court Considers Patents on Human Genes
The question before the Court today is whether a company can claim human DNA as intellectual property. Billions of dollars and millions of lives could be at stake.
If Justice Roberts Can Be an ID Theft Victim, Is Anyone Safe?
John Roberts, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, reportedly had his credit card number stolen this week. Here's how to protect yourself against the same crime.
Court's Marriage Ruling Could Save Same-Sex Couples Big Money
If the Supreme Court overturns the federal Defense of Marriage Act, some married same-sex couples could save $8,000 or more in income tax.
Supreme Court to Hear Case Alleging 'Flawed' Generic Drug
The Supreme Court will hear arguments Tuesday in a case that could decide whether generic drugmakers can be held liable for alleged flaws in the designs of their medications.
You're Losing Your Right to Sue Big Companies, One TOS at a Time
To celebrate National Consumer Protection Week, we recently highlighted a few quick actions that consumers can take to protect themselves. But the sad fact is that the most potent consumer protection tool -- the class-action lawsuit -- may soon be all but extinct.
The 6 Biggest Busted Bets of 2012
As pundits and politicians rush to sew the year up into a neat little bundle, we decided to look at 2012 from a slightly different angle. Here is our list of the year's worst bets -- six developments that seemed like sure things in January, but were bust by December.
Top 10 Business Stories of 2012
This would be the year when the global economy finally regained its vigor. At least that's what many had hoped. It didn't happen. So what were the top ten business stories of 2012?
Obamacare Could Kill One Type of Cheap Health Insurance
A key goal of the Affordable Care Act was to reduce national cost of health care. But one of its effects may be to eliminate a popular product that cuts Americans' personal health insurance costs: high-deductible health plans.
How Obamacare Could Help You Retire Earlier (or Destroy Itself Trying)
The good news is that the Supreme Court's thumb's up for the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act could be a big gift to anyone looking to retire early. The bad news is that the nation may have trouble affording it if a lot of people take advantage.
Stock Market Cuts Its Losses with a Late Rally
A late recovery on Wall Street wiped out most of the stock market's losses Thursday, leaving the Dow Jones industrial average down just 25 points. The Dow had been down as much as 177 points but came back sharply at the end of the day.
Obamacare Upheld: How It Will Affect Your Wallet and Your Life
On Thursday morning, when the Supreme Court ruled that Obamacare was constitutional, there was a brief pause as the country took a moment to imagine what this brave new world would look like. Well, Stop imagining, and let us draw you a picture...
Hospital Stocks Jump After Obamacare Ruled Constitutional
Stocks of hospital companies rose sharply Thursday after initial reports said the Supreme Court had upheld the individual insurance requirement in President Barack Obama's health care overhaul.
Obamacare in the Balance: Will the Court Ruling Really Matter?
Two years after Obamacare was signed into law, a majority of Americans feel like it's done more harm than good -- possibly because its biggest benefits haven't taken affect yet. But it may have set in motion a shift that even the Supreme Court can't reverse.
Same-Sex Spouses Still Tripped Up By Financial, Legal Tangles
Due to the Defense of Marriage Act, there are fundamental conflicts about same-sex marriage between state and federal laws -- and between states -- that create double worlds for gay marrieds in nearly every area of their financial lives.
Vote for America's Biggest 'Corporate Fool'
As April 1 approaches, Green America wants you to help it choose the "Biggest Corporate Fool" of 2012: the worst offender in the realm of business shenanigans. You've probably heard of most of the nominees -- but the behavior they're being called out for may be news to you.
Super PACs: New Rules, But an Old Political Game
Pundits have lately focused on the growth and influence of super PACs -- and the power of the mega-rich men who fund them -- but the current business-sponsored presidential contest isn't unusual: Come along as we review the long and rich tradition of election-buying in American history.
Is Sheldon Adelson Trying to Buy the White House?
Casino mogul Sheldon Adelson has stirred up controversy recently for his $10 million in political help to the Newt Gingrich campaign -- but it's all perfectly legal. Still, with billionaires and corporations now able to make almost unlimited political donations, is the presidency for sale?
How to Profit from the Top Potential Crises of 2012
From my point of view, we are about to be in heaps of trouble economically, so for 2012, I'm looking to exploit other people's woes like the good capitalist I am. Here are three bets I might pull the trigger on:
Key Health Care Reform Foe May Soon Be a Customer
Supporters of President Obama's health care reform laws got a major boost when a key opponent lost her business. Mary Brown, whose whose standing to sue is integral to the largest lawsuit against Obama's health care reforms, may be forced to abandon her legal challenge.
Ruling on Cigarette Warnings Stirs Free Speech Debate
A court ruling Monday stubbed out an FDA attempt to plaster extremely graphic warning labels on cigarette packs. The decision has reignited a debate over which right trumps which: The right of the government to warn Americans about the health risks of smoking, or the First Amendment rights of tobacco companies.
Supreme Court Ruling Is Big Win for Video Game Industry
In a 7-2 ruling, the Supreme Court Monday granted the video game industry some serious leeway, striking down California's ban on the sale of violent video games to minors. Here's more on what it means for the industry.
The Financial Landscape: Big Pharma Wins; So Does Greece
It's a good day to be a drugmaker after two pro-business Supreme Court rulings favored the industry. And it's an even better day for those who are counting on the EU bailing out Greece. But the folks at Google may want to search for "defense lawyers" -- they may be seeing subpoenas shortly.
The Financial Landscape: Wins for Wal-Mart, Utilities
The Supreme Court kept up its corporatist streak Monday, handing down two key decisions that were certain to please the Chamber of Commerce. The first helped Wal-Mart quash a massive class action sex discrimination suit; the second stopped states from suing power companies over greenhouse gas emissions.
Supreme Court Sides with Employees, Again
Earlier this year the U.S. Supreme Court interpreted an anti-employment discrimination statute in a pro-employee way. On Tuesday the Court did it again, in Staub v. Proctor -- a case involving alleged bias by supervisors against an employee.
Supreme Court Limits Lawsuits Against Vaccine Makers
Vaccine makers such as Pfizer are breathing easier now that the Supreme Court has ruled they can't be sued for defective vaccine designs. The majority opinion by Justice Antonin Scalia was unequivocal: Congress has barred lawsuits over the rare but unavoidable side effects of vital vaccines.