History and Past Activities
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History and Past Activities |
Stellan Welin and Sven Hemlin,
Centre for Research Ethics, The Sahlgrenska Academy at Göteborg University
sven.hemlin@varberg.mail.telia.com
Commercialisation issues in human embryonic stem cell technology and gene therapy
The scientific development in certain areas are rapidly leading to commercial interests. One such area is biotechnology. More specifically, the one in which I am beginning to be involved is a research project on ethical and social issues on human embryonic stem cell technology and gene therapy. We will among other issues study the exchange of biological material, research co-operation and commercialisation. This is at present a highly interesting issue since Sweden is the leading country in the world with a number of acceptable stem cell lines according to the recent decision by President Bush on biological material for research on stem cells.
The aim of the study is to show how the present day culture of research co-operation based on (formal and in-formal) material transfer has evolved and how it is related to the control of intellectual property rights. More specifically, we will study how the possible role of the original control of some precious human material, for example human embryonic stem cells, in making scientific and commercial progress by enlisting the co-operation of scientists and venture capital. The hypothesis is that we, due to the Swedish regulation of intellectual property rights of researchers, have the same way to scientific and financial success - at least for those who control the material. An interesting question is in what way the forthcoming biobank legislation will change this. The problems around the exchange of biological material is also relevant for the traditional discussion of criteria for inclusion as one of the authors of an article.
Sociology of Science and Technology NETwork - last update: April 2006