Posted by Al Gordon on December 09, 1997 at 22:36:09:
In Reply to: Re: Diabetes cure: Can we help it? .. Momemtum and organized help posted by Angsuman Chakraborty on December 09, 1997 at 22:04:42:
You are absolutely correct about the benefits of collaboration between researchers. There are simple mechansims which allow for the sharing of information without compromising the intellectual property of any party. As you say, these agreements are entered into every day. So the problem is not the need for new or novel arrangements which will make collaboration possible. The need is to create clear and strong incentives to collaborate, both in the commercial and academic sectors.
I believe the researchers will collaborate when the funding organizations make it clear that funded research must deliver VALUE to the diabetic community. Progress will no longer be measured by publishing or patents, important and all as those are -- instead, we will continuously demand milestones toward a cure. There are a lot of excellent researchers out there who will welcome this kind of accountability, as they will have an opportunity to shine.