What exactly is "patenting genes"

What is actually done? Can someone explain? Also is this legal?

Do you take out your bad genes and replace them with good ones?? Thanks

you're actually patenting the understanding of what the gene does... so if I did a bunch of research and found the Stupid gene I would patent it so that nobody else could mess with it and make a bunch of money with pills that turned that gene off and made people smarter.

Its totally legal and is justified with the same retoric as with physical patents... it allows researchers to 'own' their findings.

its completely ridiculous in my opinion and is holding medicine back in the name of bigger profits.