PRESS-NEWS.org - Press Release Distribution
PRESS RELEASES DISTRIBUTION

Researchers raise concerns over the increasing commercialization of science

Personal view: Why are we copyrighting science?

2010-09-17
(Press-News.org) The increasing commercialisation of science is restricting access to vital scientific knowledge and delaying the progress of science, claim researchers on bmj.com today.

Varuni de Silva and Raveen Hanwella from the University of Colombo in Sri Lanka argue that copyrighting or patenting medical scales, tests, techniques and genetic material, limits the level of public benefit from scientific discovery.

For example, they found that many commonly used rating scales are under copyright and researchers have to pay for their use.

Some genetic tests also carry patents, which prevent other laboratories from doing the test for a lesser cost. Earlier this year, a New York court ruled that patents held by Myriad Genetics for the diagnosis of mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes (linked to breast and ovarian cancer) were unconstitutional and invalid.

Extreme commercialisation of science can also lead to patents on medical procedures and techniques, say the authors. However, the American Medical Association recently concluded that it is unethical for physicians to seek, secure or enforce patents on medical procedures.

The scientific community is reacting to the increasing commercialisation of science, they add. For example, all genome sequences generated by the human genome project have been deposited into a public database freely accessible by anyone, while organisations such as the National Institute of Health and Wellcome Trust insist on open access to publication resulting from research funded by them.

The fundamental philosophy of Western science is sharing knowledge and, while patenting is a useful tool for protecting investments in industry, "we need to rethink its role in science," they write.

They conclude: "Although those who consider science as a commodity are willing to invest in research and development, much medical research is still carried out by non-profit organisations using public money. It is only right that such knowledge is freely shared. This is possible because academic scientists still consider the prestige of discovery more important than monetary reward."

INFORMATION:

END



ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:

Case Western Reserve researcher discovers new 'anti-pathogenic' drugs to treat MRSA

2010-09-17
CLEVELAND – September 16, 2010 – Menachem Shoham, PhD, associate professor and researcher in the department of biochemistry at the Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, has identified new anti-pathogenic drugs that, without killing the bacteria, render Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) harmless by preventing the production of toxins that cause disease. Infections of MRSA are a growing public health problem causing 20,000 deaths per year in the U.S. alone. MRSA is the most prevalent bacterial pathogen in hospital settings and in the community ...

UCI scientists decode genomes of sexually precocious fruit flies

2010-09-17
Irvine, Calif., Sept. 16, 2010 — UC Irvine researchers have deciphered how lowly fruit flies bred to rapidly develop and reproduce actually evolve over time. The findings, reported in the Sept. 15 online issue of Nature, contradict the long-held belief that sexual beings evolve the same way simpler organisms do and could fundamentally alter the direction of genetic research for new pharmaceuticals and other products. "This is actually decoding the key DNA in the evolution of aging, development and fertility," said ecology & evolutionary biology professor Michael Rose, ...

Tornado-chasing becomes vacation choice, MU researchers find

Tornado-chasing becomes vacation choice, MU researchers find
2010-09-17
COLUMBIA, Mo. -- Instead of heading to the coast for vacation, people are traveling to Tornado Alley. The number of people registering to get a closer look at tornadoes is growing as vacationers trade in their beach towels for a ride with storm chasers. Labeled "Tornado Tourists" by a University of Missouri research team, these travelers are searching for an experience beyond just thrills. Sonja Wilhelm Stanis and Carla Barbieri, associate professors in the School of Natural Resources Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism in the MU College of Agriculture, Food ...

'Nanosprings' offer improved performance in biomedicine, electronics

2010-09-17
CORVALLIS, Ore. – Researchers at Oregon State University have reported the successful loading of biological molecules onto "nanosprings" – a type of nanostructure that has gained significant interest in recent years for its ability to maximize surface area in microreactors. The findings, announced in the journal Biotechnology Progress, may open the door to important new nanotech applications in production of pharmaceuticals, biological sensors, biomedicine or other areas. "Nanosprings are a fairly new concept in nanotechnology because they create a lot of surface area ...

Avoiding dangerous climate change: An international perspective

2010-09-17
The world will need to make substantial reductions in greenhouse gas emissions below current levels over the next few decades if the worst impacts of dangerous climate change are to be avoided. This was a key conclusion from UK and US climate scientists at an international workshop on the UK AVOID program in Washington, DC exploring the most policy-relevant aspects of understanding dangerous climate change. Latest results from AVOID have shown that strong mitigation action to limit temperature rise to below 2 °C avoids many of the climate impacts, but not all of them. ...

Aerosols control rainfall in the rainforest

2010-09-17
A team of environmental engineers, who might better be called "archeologists of the air," have, for the first time, isolated aerosol particles in near pristine pre-industrial conditions. Working in the remote Amazonian Basin north of Manaus, Brazil, the researchers measured particles emitted or formed within the rainforest ecosystem that are relatively free from the influence of anthropogenic, or human, activity. The finding, published in a paper in the Sept. 17 issue of the journal Science, could provide crucial clues to understanding cloud formation, determining the ...

Father absence linked to earlier puberty among certain girls

2010-09-17
Berkeley — Girls in homes without a biological father are more likely to hit puberty at an earlier age, according to a new study led by researchers at the University of California, Berkeley's School of Public Health. The findings, to be published Sept. 17 in the Journal of Adolescent Health, found that the absence of a biologically related father in the home predicted earlier breast and pubic hair development, but only for girls in higher income households. The findings held even after the girls' weight was taken into account. "The age at which girls are reaching ...

Kids Wish Network Shelley Breiner Announces Brad Paisley Corvette Dream Giveaway

2010-09-17
Kids Wish Network (http://kidswishnetwork.org) founder Shelley Breiner announces the Brad Paisley Corvette Dream Giveaway. Driven by his passion for kids and cars, Brad Paisley teams up with Kids Wish Network and their Corvette Dream Giveaway program to give away two Corvettes. Proceeds help benefit the Kids Wish Network's Hero program to bring joy to children in crisis nationwide. In addition to being passionate about helping children, Brad Paisley has always been passionate about cars, particularly Corvettes. So, when Kids Wish Network offered him the chance to combine ...

Cristol releases new remix to Tampa Bay Rays' anthem "It's Our Season"

2010-09-17
For every win after home running win, the song kept fans on the edges of their seats in Tropicana Field as they cheered their home team onto a captivating season. Now as the Rays battle with the New York Yankees for first place position, St. Petersburg native and lifelong Rays fan Cristol turns the momentum up to the maximum with "It's Our Season 2010 Remix" in hopes of stimulating the team back into the number one spot. Featuring fellow rappers Big Gill and Bay Boi, the newest version of the song is even more dynamic with added lead guitar riffs and amped-up production. "The ...

Content on Popular Android Phones Now More Accessible from Your PC Using New FutureDial Software

2010-09-17
Users of popular Android phones now have the means to easily back-up and share their phone content with the PC thanks to a new software. FutureDial Incorporated announced today its launch of its FutureDial Suite PC Software for Android Phones. The new PC software is compatible with popular Android phone models like the Google Nexus One, HTC EVO 4G, HTC DROID Eris, HTC G1, HTC Hero, HTC DROID Incredible, HTC MyTouch 3G, Motorola BackFlip, Motorola Cliq, Motorola Cliq XT, Motorola DROID, Motorola Devour, Samsung Moment and Samsung Behold II. More phones are being added ...

LAST 30 PRESS RELEASES:

Community partners key to success of vaccine clinic focused on neurodevelopmental conditions

Low-carbon collaborative dual-layer optimization for energy station considering joint electricity and heat demand response

McMaster University researchers uncover potential treatment for rare genetic disorders

The return of protectionism: The impact of the Sino-US trade war

UTokyo and NARO develop new vertical seed distribution trait for soybean breeding

Research into UK’s use of plastic packaging finds households ‘wishcycle’ rather than recycle – risking vast contamination

Vaccine shows promise against aggressive breast cancer

Adverse events affect over 1 in 3 surgery patients, US study finds

Outsourcing adult social care has contributed to England’s care crisis, argue experts

The Lancet: Over 800 million adults living with diabetes, more than half not receiving treatment, global study suggests

New therapeutic approach for severe COVID-19: faster recovery and reduction in mortality

Plugged wells and reduced injection lower induced earthquake rates in Oklahoma

Yin selected as a 2024 American Society of Agronomy Fellow

Long Covid could cost the economy billions every year

Bluetooth technology unlocks urban animal secrets

This nifty AI tool helps neurosurgeons find sneaky cancer cells

Treatment advances, predictive biomarkers stand to improve bladder cancer care

NYC's ride-hailing fee failed to ease Manhattan traffic, new NYU Tandon study reveals

Meteorite contains evidence of liquid water on Mars 742 million years ago

Self-reported screening helped reduce distressing symptoms for pediatric patients with cancer

Which risk factors are linked to having a severe stroke?

Opening borders for workers: Abe’s profound influence on Japan’s immigration regime

How skills from hospitality and tourism can propel careers beyond the industry

Research shows managers of firms handling recalls should review media scrutiny before deciding whether to lobby

New model system for the development of potential active substances used in condensate modifying drugs

How to reduce social media stress by leaning in instead of logging off

Pioneering research shows sea life will struggle to survive future global warming

In 10 seconds, an AI model detects cancerous brain tumor often missed during surgery 

Burden of RSV–associated hospitalizations in US adults, October 2016 to September 2023

Repurposing semaglutide and liraglutide for alcohol use disorder

[Press-News.org] Researchers raise concerns over the increasing commercialization of science
Personal view: Why are we copyrighting science?