pdf: Open science versus commercialization: a modern research conflict?
Open debate
Open science versus commercialization: a modern research c
Abstract (provisional)
Background
Efforts to improve research outcomes have resulted in genomic researchers being confronted
with complex and seemingly contradictory instructions about how to perform their tasks.
Over the past decade, there has been increasing pressure on university researchers
to commercialize their work. Concurrently, they are encouraged to collaborate, share
data and disseminate new knowledge quickly (i.e., to adopt an open science model)
in order to foster scientific progress, meet humanitarian goals, and to maximize the
impact of their research.
Discussion
We present selected guidelines from three countries (Canada, United States, and United
Kingdom) situated at the forefront of genomics to illustrate this potential policy
conflict. Examining the innovation ecosystem and the messages conveyed by the different
policies surveyed, we further investigate the inconsistencies between open science
and commercialization policies.
Summary
Commercialization and open science are not necessarily irreconcilable and could instead
be envisioned as complementary elements of a more holistic innovation framework. Given
the exploratory nature of our study, we wish to point out the need to gather additional
evidence on the coexistence of open science and commercialization policies and on
its impact, both positive and negative, on genomics academic research.
