Page 44 - INSIGHT 2021

We are stifling the very succour which is prov- ual has a copyright over it but it has its own prob-
Science and Its Marketing en to revive ailing (unprofitable) fields. It reflects lems, which I’ll explain with the following arguments:
our ingrained attitude towards non-commercial re- 1) Laws are so complex that these can be eas-
search. We devalue momentarily inconsequential ily used by high-profile companies in their fa-
Bakul Dalal, B. Sc. (H) Zoology, II Year research and it later transforms into credit and re- vour - Copyright laws are so wide and complex
ward theft when the results of that same research are that any big company can manipulate it in their fa-
used in Applied Science, milking money out of it. vour and steal the research of the parent researcher.
cience, as an operation, is a well delineated sys- tions but often find its use in a lucrative project later According to present guidelines by WIPO (World 2) Litigation cost is very high - The entire litigation
tem, but Science, as an institution, is disorderly. (only getting credits as a mere citation in the reference Intellectual Property Organization), “a patent is an process is so expensive that it becomes extremely diffi-
As with any unsystematic and poorly managed section). While we lay immense emphasis on useful exclusive right granted by the State for an inven- cult for any litigant to initiate any proceedings, hence,
Sorganization, it has failed to deliver up to its scientific innovations, we often deny due attention to tion, which is a product or a process that provides, discouraging authenticity in the field of research.
potential. This culminates in a dearth of opportunities a steadfast scientific community working in the fields in general, a new way of doing something, or of- Pure Sciences is a passion driven field and that’s
and incentives. Better managed fields poach the cream of Natural Sciences, taking it for granted and reducing fers a new technical solution to a problem.” Accord- why the majority of research work goes unpatent-
of talent. This is amply reflected in the fact that a horde of it to a work of philanthropy. Understanding the inex- ing to these laws, any scientific findings generated ed. Shouldn’t the author of a thesis be rightfully per-
students switch fields after their Bachelor’s in Science. tricably woven matrix of Pure Sciences and Applied from pre-existing techniques are not subject to intel- mitted to claim royalties if his or her data is utilized
‘What is Science?’ This otherwise uncomplicated ques- Sciences and their interdependency is warranted. lectual rights and publishing results would put your commercially in one way or the other? Not only will
tion is enough to perplex even a good deal of scientists A classic case is that of the ‘Human Genome Proj- data at the disposal of anyone willing to milk from it. the owner of an intellectual property be rewarded and
and holds the key to stimulate a slacking Science cul- ect’ (HGP), initiated in 1990 by the US government Take the example of the human genome – the enor- credited, but it’ll spur a healthy race among scien-
ture, but surprisingly, it has an equally uncomplicated and funded by several nations. HGP was planned to mous gene codes generated through a multi-bil- tists to lay claim on Science waiting to be discovered!
answer. Eloquently put by Darwin, “Science consists of be completed in 2005 with the prime objective of se- lion project are now at the disposal of phar-
grouping facts so that general laws or conclusions may quencing the human genome and making the data ma companies at no costs at all. It would’ve been
be drawn from them”. Here, it is important to draw public. Although a private enterprise, Celera Genom- noble, only if we were not paying for those meds today!
the distinction between Natural Sciences (Physics, ics, pitched into the picture in 1998 with similar sci- Therefore, any scientific discovery has to go through
Chemistry, Biology etc.) and Applied Sciences (Engi- entific objectives but with the intention of patenting this tedious process and it becomes difficult for in-
neering, Medicine etc.). Natural or Pure Science is an their data, using a more efficient and less costly tech- dividuals to secure their rights. However, when it
empirical quest of truths about our physical world re- nique compared to the publicly funded project. In an comes to scientific research, de jure, every individ-
gardless of any immediate applications of its findings. interesting turn of events, the then US president, Clin-
While the latter focuses on the practical utilization ton announced in March 2000 that genome sequence
of our scientific knowledge, both make use of Formal cannot be patented, resulting in a loss of $50 billion
References:
Sciences (Mathematics, Logic, Linguistics etc.) as in the Biotechnology market. The genome race ended
• https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_Ge-
tools of their expression and quantification. To put it with both players publishing their data simultaneously
nome_Project#:~:text=The%20Human%20Ge-
simply, Natural Sciences (which Darwin talks about in in 2001. Celera eventually backed out on its genome
the quotation above) with the help of Formal Sciences sequencing ambitions (the very aspiration with which nome%20Project%20(HGP,physical%20and%20
create a repository of factual knowledge on which Ap- the firm was originally established) and turned to a%20functional%20standpoint.
plied Sciences are built. Now, these disciplines contin- drug manufacturing instead, substantially reducing its
ually jump into each other’s domain so seamlessly that workforce. Similar is the case of Taxonomy in Biology. • https://bjst-journal.springeropen.com/arti-
the distinction is often rendered redundant and it’s Celera’s patent claims might very well have been cles/10.1186/s40552-015-0007-y
naturally reflected in how we perceive Science as a so- insubstantially founded and I am not an advo-
ciety. This improperly integrated view of the subject is cate of fortification of information, but the fact • https://www.wipo.int/patents/en/#:~:text=A%20
so profoundly problematic that it has become an alba- is that we failed a very ambitious and courageous
patent%20is%20an%20exclusive,public%20in%20
tross around the neck which restricts speedier progress venture into Science. Such competitive initiatives
a%20patent%20application
in Science. It often leads to a disproportionate reward- should’ve been duly encouraged both financial-
ing and recognition of scientists behind the scenes ly and morally. What sort of precedent is it setting
responsible for contributing to the massive scientific for industries looking to invest in scientific research?
database which might not find its immediate applica-
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