51–60 of 98 posts
Wont using this be long term harmful to our nasal health, as bacteria acquire immunity?
This is the first thing I think of when I read this too. I am worried this will train bacteria to be resistant to natural immune defense mechanism of human... : (
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You have to choose a system. If we don't want naturally-occurring compounds patented, but we want them researched for potential drug use, we need more public funding. Otherwise, we have to offer researchers and drug manufacturers an incentive to take risks with exploring these compounds. Barring lugdunin from being patented while providing no public funding would incentivise this group to withhold publication until t…
These are German researchers at a German university. Aren't they already publicly funded? (honest question, I don't know).
So yes, this research has been paid for by the German public. However, it is common for universities to apply for patents. Revenue from patent licensing is then usually shared between the university and the researchers.
[1]: http://www.uni-tuebingen.de/fakultaeten/mathematisch-naturwi...
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It sounds like drug discovery ought to be taxpayer-funded, then, as a project that is in the public interest but difficult to monetize without jeopardizing the public interest.
I think that even private-sector-developed drugs rely on publicly-funded research. Worst is when American companies charge U.S. customers higher prices than overseas consumers for drugs that were developed using USA-taxpayer-funded research.
Awesome research. But... > The researchers then checked snot from hospitalized patients. Of 187 samples, all but one were colonized by either S. aureus or S. lugdunensis > S. lugdunensis, was killing S. aureus. Its weapon of choice? A small compound dubbed lugdunin > The German researchers who performed the study have filed a patent for lugdunin Are we really allowing people to patent naturally occurring biological c…
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>You have to choose a system. Cool I choose heaps of public funding and patents dead forever!
Me too, makes definitely more sense than the other way 'round.
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At least if they'd kept their findings secret, researchers could independently be researching the same thing. Now independent researchers won't want to touch lugdunin because they'll need to license the patent, however they won't know whether licensing the patent is worthwhile until they do their research. This will prevent further research, not encourage it.
Worse, other commercial researches will be wasting their time with busywork to find a non-patented analog which they can claim for themselves, instead of working on new things.
Awesome research. But... > The researchers then checked snot from hospitalized patients. Of 187 samples, all but one were colonized by either S. aureus or S. lugdunensis > S. lugdunensis, was killing S. aureus. Its weapon of choice? A small compound dubbed lugdunin > The German researchers who performed the study have filed a patent for lugdunin Are we really allowing people to patent naturally occurring biological c…
I would expect the patent to be on the process for isolating or synthesizing the compound.
Now we need a globally agreed system of anti-biotic triage - you can have anti-biotics, but only administered in hospital, signed off by two doctors and with these life threatening conditions. Treat them with care this time round
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Interesting read. What I don't understand is why other body hair is not mentioned, and if that has the same effect. If not, what makes a beard different?
I assume because it's around the mouth. Food passes, some of that will stay in the beard, allowing for different cultures to grow than elsewhere.
Earlier quoted context omitted.
It sounds like drug discovery ought to be taxpayer-funded, then, as a project that is in the public interest but difficult to monetize without jeopardizing the public interest.
I think that even private-sector-developed drugs rely on publicly-funded research. Worst is when American companies charge U.S. customers higher prices than overseas consumers for drugs that were developed using USA-taxpayer-funded research.
For a simple example, an academic or non-profit group might get reduced cost access to research materials and software.
Also, publicly-funded research may have a mix of funding sources, including private philanthropy and for-profit companies.