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> What I think the field of genetic engineering may need in its future, is the equivalent of a Linus Torvalds in their field. Someone who will cut through the B

> What I think the field of genetic engineering may need in its future, is the equivalent of a Linus Torvalds in their field. Someone who will cut through the BS, and donate the overwhelming majority of their work / research to the public domain to prevent or reduce the possibility of some calamitous scenario from unfolding. Didn't most research used to be published openly in scientific journals? Has that changed, or was that a golden age that never existed? Based on my meager understanding, openly sharing research was one of Bacon's foundations of the Enlightenment and the scientific enterprise.

datashovel 11y ago
Definitely. Although my understanding is that patents will be filed and awarded. Which will essentially cut all "outsiders" from profiting from the research, which ultimately helps corporations perpetuate their R&D lifecycle. Forgive me if I'm misinformed here, but Monsanto may be a good example of a corporation who has put their GMO patents to good use to gain enormous market share in agriculture.
ejlperello 11y ago
The CRISPR IP battle is being fought between universities, not corporations. CRISPR aside, the IP situation in biotech and specifically in synthetic biology (parts-based biology) is not a good one. Currently there exists IP around many small DNA components (you can think of them as genes though this wouldnt be correct in all cases - more like DNA programs). Currently in biology, if I want to build a composite part, that incorporates many separate parts, each with IP around them, I need to get a license for all of those parts. The tech industry had a similar problem back in the "golden age" of computer parts development. It is often so expensive and difficult for any innovation to happen to happen under these circumstances, as so many patents and licenses and what not must be obtained, which typically frightens investors from putting cash in small startups. The tech industry has solved this with EDA tools - we need something similar in biotech. What I'd call a DNA Part or cassette, techs call an "IP" or silicone block IP. They have worked out a system where it appears the big design software houses act as brokers and clearing houses for their users. They aggregate not only the necessary licenses, but also the documentation and design rules for how to use a specific part. Then the design tool compiles all these parts down into something that is sent for synthesis by the foundry. They're really light years ahead of the biotech industry on this. I recommend this fascinating overview of how intellectual property rights in integrated circuit design have evolved. It would be great to see similar things happen in my industry. http://timreview.ca/article/442 http://timreview.ca/article/442

datashovel 11y ago

Definitely. Although my understanding is that patents will be filed and awarded. Which will essentially cut all "outsiders" from profiting from the research, which ultimately helps corporations perpetuate their R&D lifecycle. Forgive me if I'm misinformed here, but Monsanto may be a good example of a corporation who has put their GMO patents to good use to gain enormous market share in agriculture.

ejlperello 11y ago

The CRISPR IP battle is being fought between universities, not corporations. CRISPR aside, the IP situation in biotech and specifically in synthetic biology (parts-based biology) is not a good one. Currently there exists IP around many small DNA components (you can think of them as genes though this wouldnt be correct in all cases - more like DNA programs). Currently in biology, if I want to build a composite part, that incorporates many separate parts, each with IP around them, I need to get a license for all of those parts. The tech industry had a similar problem back in the "golden age" of computer parts development. It is often so expensive and difficult for any innovation to happen to happen under these circumstances, as so many patents and licenses and what not must be obtained, which typically frightens investors from putting cash in small startups. The tech industry has solved this with EDA tools - we need something similar in biotech. What I'd call a DNA Part or cassette, techs call an "IP" or silicone block IP. They have worked out a system where it appears the big design software houses act as brokers and clearing houses for their users. They aggregate not only the necessary licenses, but also the documentation and design rules for how to use a specific part. Then the design tool compiles all these parts down into something that is sent for synthesis by the foundry. They're really light years ahead of the biotech industry on this. I recommend this fascinating overview of how intellectual property rights in integrated circuit design have evolved. It would be great to see similar things happen in my industry. http://timreview.ca/article/442 http://timreview.ca/article/442