[Pirateninfo] Open Souce Biotech aus: Bridges Vol 4, Nr 18

[Gregor Kaiser]

'OPEN-SOURCE' INITIATIVE TO FACILITATE BIOTECH RESEARCH

Biologists launched an 'open-source' initiative last week which aims to make
research tools, information and patented technologies more readily available
to scientists, in particular in developing countries.  Founded by the
Australia-based Center for the Application for Molecular Biology to
International Agriculture (CAMBIA), the Biological Innovation for Open
Society (BIOS) initiative describes itself as "an effort to develop new
innovation systems for market failures and for neglected priorities".
Richard Jefferson, CAMBIA's Chairman and leader of the initiative, hopes
that BIOS can create an "open source movement" in biotechnology, similar to
the one that has developed in the computer software industry, and establish
an international community of interested researchers. BIOS' first priority
will be to create a portfolio of research tools that can be used for free,
and to construct an easy-to-use database of patent information.  BIOS will
include information on all forms of biological innovations, including
agricultural and animal-breeding tools, genetic resources, medical
treatments and environmental remedies.  Open-access licenses will be granted
for free under the condition that the user grants BIOS the rights to any
improvements made. Licensees can contribute a non-compulsory annual fee to
BIOS, proportional to their capabilities. Sponsors and "non-compulsory"
subscription fees are expected to cover all costs. Though BIOS expects some
resistance from biotechnology companies, some have expressed their support
for the initiative.  "We have had discussions with BIOS and these will
continue," says Ganesh Kishore, Vice-President of Technology at DuPont.  "I
don't view BIOS as a threat: it will be complementary.  We need many
innovations to build all the products that we want to build."

For further information, see http://www.bios.net/home.

"Biologists Launch 'Open-Source Movement'," NATURE, 30 September 2004; "Open
Source Bt," ELLINGHUYSEN, 4 October 2004; "BIOS to Break Biology's Tech
Barrier," AUSTRALIA IT, 6 October 2004.
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