History and Past Activities
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History and Past Activities |
Paul A. Martin
Genetics and Society Unit, School of Sociology and Social Policy
University of Nottingham
Nottingham
United Kingdom
e-mail: P_A_Martin@compuserve.com
From basic research to biotechnology: the commodification of the European science base in human genetics
The number of biotechnology firms in Europe has almost trebled in the last six years and now stands at 1,100. Most of these firms were founded to commercialise research created in universities and public research laboratories, mainly in the area of human genetics. The growth of the biotech sector is therefore based on a massive commodification of knowledge created in the public sector.
Data will be given on the general growth of biotechnology firms in Europe and the increasingly close ties between academia and industry in human genetics. A more fine-grained analysis will then be presented using a case study which examined the commercial exploitation of the European science base in gene therapy.
In particular, the paper describes the pattern of academic-industry linkages, the role of technology transfer organisations and public policy in facilitating commercial exploitation and explores some of the reasons for this rapid transformation of public research into private goods.
Conceptually the analysis draws on ideas from STS to examine the creation of networks involved in the commodification of knowledge and the translation of science into technology. It is argued that knowledge becomes a commodity through a process of embodiment in artifacts and socio-technical networks centred on the firm. The paper will conclude by exploring the policy implications of the creation of tight academic-industry networks in human genetics.
Sociology of Science and Technology NETwork - last update: April 2006