Summary:

The commodification of knowledge is a crucial issue in any discussion related to the life sciences, where profitability, and, more importantly, profitability in the short/mid term range, is often a less than negotiable item when dealing with the development of novel therapies. While private enterprises have always been a staple of scientific development, the final major result of the Human Genome Project was a marked increase in "patentability", not only of techniques, but also of genes and proteins (even if indirectly), the limits of which are being continuously stretched. Together with the mounting promiscuity between academic researchers/institutions and biotech/pharmaceutical companies, this creates a fascinating mine field which is ripe for analysis. When addressing the results of the necessary tests needed to determine a drugs effectiveness and safety before approval, it is virtually impossible to gather a panel of experts in the field that do not have ties to either the company that manufactures the drug, or to any of its main competitors, who manufacture alternative products. It also certainly is no coincidence that current medical hotspots include regenerative medicine, but not diseases such as AIDS or malaria, the market for which is much less attractive. Furthermore, often neglected in these debates is the fact that many novel biotechnology products (including modified crops) have the potential to essentially eradicate previous (patent-free and cheaper) alternatives; or that many of the products being developed have a natural base, often derived from traditional medicines, thus bringing up the question of rightful ownership.

Organized and coordinated by:
João Arriscado Nunes, Centre for Social Studies, jan@ces.uc.pt
João Ramalho Santos, Centre for Neuro-Sciences and  Cell Biology, jramalho@ci.uc.pt
Coimbra University

Sponsor:
Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation

Support:
British Council
Foundation for Science and Technology
Luso-American Development Foundation
Science Museum, Coimbra University