This case dealt with whether genetically modified organisms can be patented. Ananda Chakrabarty, the plaintiff, developed a bacterium capable of breaking down crude oil and potentially being useful in treating oil spills. He applied for a patent which was rejected by the Patent Office based on the argument that microorganisms are not patentable as they are products of nature. In review of this case, the Supreme Court ruled in favour of the plaintiff. It decided that a man-made microorganism is non-naturally occurring and may therefore be patented.