Open-Source Biology

The revolution has begun (Wired).

The battle lies between biotech companies like multinational Monsanto, who can grant or deny the legal use of biological information, and independent organizations like The Biological Innovation for Open Society, or BIOS, and Science Commons. The indies want to give scientists free access to the latest methods in biotechnology through the web.

Just like open-source software, open-source biology users own the patents to their creations, but cannot hinder others from using the original shared information to develop similar products. Any improvements of the shared methods of BIOS, the Science Commons or other open-source communities must be made public, as well as any health hazards that are discovered.

The biotech companies have advanced far enough. It is shameful to see how they have bored their way into science institutions all over the world. I can only look to the local, backwater university to see their tentacles burrowed deep into the daily work routine. It’s an unacceptable development. Science in any form shouldn’t be owned or controlled by the power of private interests, nor the misguided ways of society. Science for science’s sake. At least now there is a way to both hold a patent and actively refrain from using it. As well as stop big biz from freeloading on this commendable initiative.

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