Open Source for Biotechnology

LarsWestergren writes "The Economist claims that Open Source is such a success for software development, the model should be used more often in areas such as biotechnology and bioinformatics. The similarity between open source and the academic process with their 'you share, I share' principles is shown by the human genome project. The paper argues that this process should be used for instance to developing medicines unburdened by patents, useful especially for third world countries or diseases that affect relatively few people, where medical corporations have previously thought that the cost of research have not been worth it."

Comments

Re:Hmmm

[MarkPNeyer]

Communism is more like "You share your things with me and the other fellows in power, or else you're on your way to the goulags."

Re:Hmmm

[aussie_a]

Democracy is like "you vote for a guy and then the Supreme Court will decide"

There are successful ways to implement something and unsuccessful ways to implement something. Communism isn't inherently bad, anymore then Democracy is. But look at Iraq, that was a democracy.

Re:He has a point

[Elledan]

"Communism isn't necessarily bad."

Communism is the ultimate form of democracy, because it elminates any form of government and hierarchy. In a truly communistic system, everybody is equal, and everybody works towards a common goal.

Definitely sounds like Open Source.

Re:He has a point

[Elledan]

False. With Socialism there still is a government, as it (in Marxism) has the task of distributing all resources.

Capitalism -> Socialism -> Communism

With Capitalism individuals (companies) pursue their own goals, with a government standing at the sidelines to keep things from getting out of control.
With Socialism, the resources produced by the capitalistic system are re-distributed by a strong government. Individuals are still able to pursue their own goals, but have more duties to the rest of society.
With Communism all individuals work together without requiring any outside influence (i.e. a government). There are no hierarchies (which also rules out the existence of any kind of government). What is good for the individual is good for society.