Commentary

For basic researchers in many parts of biology, intellectual atmosphere is heady. Progress in unravelling fundamental biological mysteries has been rapid and intense; moreover, it is gratifying and reassuring to many biologists that work carried out primarily in academic laboratories seems to be leading to substantial, practical, social benefits. Compared to many other government-funded programs, basic research is also relatively well-funded. The Federal government continues to allocate appreciable resources to agencies (principally National Science Foundation and National Institutes of Health) that support basic biological sciences; some new Federal money is being made available through Department of Defense.' And, of course, there has been an appreciable infusion of funds from private enterprises that have set up a variety of relationships with universities and academic research institutions. Given excitement and momentum, it is not surprising that only more obvious of potential impacts of current developments on scientific practices have received much attention. Conflicts have arisen over publication of sensitive material and over access by foreign nationals to certain types of information; but, by and large, these controversies have not involved biological sciences. Universities and academic associations have debated merits of faculty and student participation in research sponsored by profit-oriented organizations.2 Many universities have formulated or revivified rules covering patent assignments, publication policies, and faculty consulting; but most of this concern has been directed at guaranteeing that ordinary academic practices (e.g., publication, tenure procedures, or treatment of graduate students) not be severely impeded or distorted by arrangements with private enterprises. At level of formal agreements and contract stipulations, such guarantees are not particularly difficult to arrange, and a variety of arrangements now attempt to accommodate needs of different institutions.3 This paper describes some other, less-publicized situations in biological sciences. The paper reflects my conviction that discussion of openness within science must be set in context of relations of particular scientific community to wider society. In addition, scientists resent and occasionally resist intrusion into their affairs by the public-other than through provision of funds and accolades-and these attitudes generate significant problems of openness different from ones affecting communication among scientists

Biology · Animal Genetics and Reproduction · CRISPR and Genetic Engineering · Genetically Modified Organisms Research

• The effect of secrecy on the international educational exchange of scientific knowledge

  Open Access•Paul Pedersen•International Journal of…•1989

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• Communication, Competition, and Secrecy

  Open Access•Katherine W Mccain•Science Technology & Human Values•1991

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