Like Barak Obama I want to see a better, more perfect creation of a new America. Not one restored to her past greatness, as it were, but an America that exceeds her former greatness and rises to a new measure we can all be proud of and work hard for. Our future in this world now depends on how we work together and educate each other, building relationships that nurture and establish trust and mentorship in each other. We are all teachers of things we aspire to and we can share what we know and help each other to grow up, to find our place in this world. We can do so musch more if we all just begin to share our thoughts and energies in life. There are people in this world who need care and help to overcome their current situations that hold them back from their ability to become more than they are right now.
Nearly every system in America is broken and requires new thinking and creative work to progress to a new level. Here is but one very important example of our broken systems in need of new thinking and immediate action:
Life-saving scientific research is being stifled by a “broken” patent system, according to a new report.
“Blocking patents” are delaying advances in cancer medicine and food crops, says the Canada-based Innovation Partnership, a non-profit consultancy.
The full benefits of synthetic biology and nanotechnology will not be realised without urgent reforms to encourage sharing of information, they say.
Their findings will be reported next week to UK policymakers and NGOs.
The report is compiled by the Innovation Partnership’s International Expert Group on Biotechnology, Innovation and Intellectual Property.
It cites examples of medical advances which have been delayed from reaching people in need - in both the developed and developing world.
These include HIV/Aids drugs and cancer screening tests.
The authors offer guidelines for a transition from “Old IP” to “New IP”, in which companies, researchers and governments recognise that sharing information is mutually beneficial.
“If we are to turn the atoms of publicly funded discovery into molecules of innovation… we have to make sure research avenues stay open,” said the report’s lead author, Professor Richard Gold.
“That doesn’t mean there will be no patents. It simply means that patents don’t become a barrier to early stage research.
“We do not want to end up in the same situation with nanotechnology that we are in with genetics.”
Fortress IP
The traditional view is that strong patent protection stimulates innovation, reassuring companies that it is safe to invest in research without fear of being stung by rivals.
Under this “old” model of intellectual property (IP), biotech firms raced to file a “fortress” of patents around newly discovered genes, closing off avenues of research for their competitors.
But this strategy is ultimately counter-productive for both industry and consumers, argues the report, not least because it deters grass roots research in universities.
Work on the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes that can cause breast cancer has been held up by legal disputes over patents held on the genes by Myriad Genetics, a biotech firm based in Utah, US.
Meanwhile, patients in European countries were denied access to the cancer screening kits, because national health services were unwilling to meet the cost.
The Myriad case is “an anatomy of old IP gone wrong”, said Dr Gold, Professor of Intellectual Property Law at McGill University in Montreal.
“Myriad is not the exception - it is the rule. Others are following and will continue to follow, unless we drastically change things.”
To facilitate sharing of information, he believes companies should be encouraged to form “patent pools”, allowing them to cross-license their technologies without losing out on royalties.
An example is the pool established by the international partnership Unitaid to provide HIV patients in developing countries with access to affordable anti-retroviral drugs.
Partnerships
Governments should develop public-private partnerships to conduct early stage research, and seek other ways to encourage innovation - via tax credits, for instance.
Meanwhile, patent offices must standardise their information gathering and do more to help firms in developing countries gain access to accurate patent information, the report recommends.
Reform now would ensure that society feels the full benefit of new fields such as synthetic biology, a discipline that could lead to cells with novel genomes which perform useful functions, such as making biofuels or absorbing greenhouse gases.
Dr Craig Venter, the man who led the private sector effort to sequence the human genome, has already raised eyebrows by applying to patent the method he plans to use to create a “synthetic organism”.
Fears that these patents may be too broad have been raised by the ETC Group, which campaigns for the reform of biotech patenting.
“The patenting system is not functioning. It is more of a barrier than an incentive,” said Pat Mooney, the organisation’s executive director.
“In pharmacy, we no longer see much discovery - we see firms playing safe and holding onto their turf.
“Meanwhile, in nanotechnology, we have seen some dangerously broad patents, which cut off whole areas of research.
“Patent offices must get up to speed with new areas of science, so they know exactly how much they are giving away.”
http://www.nanowerk.com/news/newsid=6454.php
For those of you who don't follow Nanotechnology and Public Policy, there is an important piece of legislation that has been introduced by Senators Snowe and Kerry regarding National Nanotechnology Initiative funding priorities. The bill in question - the Nanotechnology Initiative Amendments Act of 2008, sets some new targets and research objectives within the existing framework of the NNI. Namely, this is legislation that will help shape the NNI to help focus research to addresses public safety, worker safety, and toxicology guidelines.
Needless to say, this is very important.
Please take some time to let your respective elected officials and respective spheres of influence know your support of this important legislation, as the number of studies being published about nanotoxicology are growing, and the pressures of commercializing nanoparticles continues to grow. Like any bill, its not perfect. However, the key to not slowing research is ensuring we are doing our due diligence to ensure safety. An uneducated public and the potential for a knee-jerk backlash to nanoscience research is something we need to avoid. This bill is certainly a step in the right direction.
Thanks for all that you do.
In science,
Patocka
EOL
Link there is one thing you read from this Science, its this. You can thank the TED project.
Biofrontiers Link
The first generation of nanotechnology is going to yield breakthroughs in lots of things, including medicine.
Link
Check out this scaled animation of some of our sub-cellular processes that we've managed to model and bio mechanically re engineer. Molecular Self Assembly. Remember that because its coming up again in another article.
Fusion at Sandia Link Link
We need more civil science experiments.
Climate Change Link
I wonder how much it costs to replace glacial ice? Fortunately, the UN says...Link
Hydrogen Cars Link
Talking about a Hydrogen Economy is far more interesting and in my opinion, productive than talking about biofuels and a carbon economy.
Kurzweil & The Science Link
Words do not express my fanaticism for this man's ideas. Oh and he's on mark. IBM just engineered a chip manufacturing process that uses molecular self assembly. Its powerful enough that it just enabled 2 generations of Moore's Law.
Molecular Self Assembly. Already used to create you and every other living thing on earth. Soon used to create just about everything else around you.
Longevity through Biotechnology Link
Now available for pre-order on Amazon.
Bose Einstein Condensates Link
Originally postulated theoretically by Einstein and the Indian Mathematician Bose 70 years ago, and first physically created at the University of Colorado in 1995. Created in a laboratory that uses electromagnets, lasers, and a vacuum to create an environment 1,000,000 times colder than the coldest region of known space - measured by a Nobel winning research project to analyze back round radiation left over from the big bang.... Basically, this environment only exists in laboratories on Earth, or by another intelligent civilizations laboratories elsewhere. In this environment, molecules stop. They reach a base state where they fuse into a 5th state of matter called a Bose Einstein Condensate. What lasers did for science in the 60s, we can now advance matter in a similar way. This will yield quantum leaps in our technology for years to come. You don't even want to get me started on where we are at present day on this research. Its almost magical.
Silicon BrainsLink
The lines between biology and computing are blurring.
Three Generations of Nanoproducts Link
This to a recent interview conducted by the Dallas News. Article discusses the phased rollout of nanoproducts according to Jim Von Ehr (Zyvex) & other nanogurus. It gives examples of what should be hitting store shelves within the next couple of years, and discusses the future breakthroughs related to this technology.
Link Link
These links discuss graphene, a wonderfully thin lattice of carbon molecules that has some tremendous potential for 2nd generation nanoapplications. Whats really exciting is that graphene is being examined for its properties as a transistor. Why is this important? Using silicon based lithography, (the processes used to build microprocessors) Moores Law is slated to terminate in about 20 years or so, as the experts project. This material could yield the potential for Moores Law to hold true well into the future, giving us machines that are capable of processing more information than the collective whole of human consciousness. Right now the fastest super computers already compute with the same number of neural switches that you would find within the evolutionary spectrum between an insect and a small rodent. Watch the Impact that Nano will have on the following fields...: Genetics, Synthetic Biology, Infotech, Robotics, Aviation, Energy, Terraforming.... Hold on tight humans, the 21st century is going to be a wild ride.
Spray on Computers Link
First applications: health care.
Robot Armies & Ministry of Defense Projections Link Link Link
Keep in mind that pessimism is an intrinsic part of being English. Meanwhile in the US: $530 Billion over a 5 year period for the Robot Army. Its in the budget. Its under the DoD's Future Combat Systems initative. Largest appropriation ever in the history of the DoD.
Nanogenerators Link
DARPA funded.
Neutrinos Link
Chances are, you're probably sick of me talking about nanotech and need some variety. Besides, the quantum world is far more fascinating....
Cognitive Drugs Link
Somewhere in the gap between 1st and 2nd generation nanotechnology.
3D Information Metaverse Link
Mmmmm.... Metaverse.
Print Me Some Bones! Link
Yes its from the Daily Mail. Not exactly Nature, but bone and tissue printing is a path within medicine that is being actively pursued.
Look Computer.... Link
It can also now recognize who you are, what you are wearing, and if your body temperature is consistent with that of humans. It can also see you in the dark. Biometrics are rapidly improving every day...
Plastics Made by Bacteria Link
The FDA's approval of the sutures makes them the first commercial plastics produced by genetically engineered bacteria, Sinskey says. Tepha will begin marketing the sutures this year.
Better Biofuels Link
Sillicon Valley vs. Des Moines in a biofuel kumite to the finish! Key word: re engineered microbes....
Robotic Fleas Link
With news like this, you really got to wonder what one could do with a garage, time, and $225,000 in research equipment.... or in a cave in pakistan for that matter....
Genetically Modified Plants Debate Link
An inevitable course of evolution is the human ability to modify the world around us using technology. Now we are capable of playing with the building blocks of the living world. As time goes on, we will undoubtedly face questions if our altruistic nature causes us to use these technologies for the benefit of life, both on Earth and elsewhere....
DNA Factories Link
DNA Fabrication. Pimp your basic cellular functions. My designer countervirals got my immune response on lock, yo.
Xenotransplants Link
Organ harvesting. Makes you re-examine large scale swine farms, doesn't it? Pair it with methane and energy containment infrastructure and you've got potential to create additional revenue streams.... and bacon.
Spaceports Link
No, seriously.
Retinal Implants Link
Bionic men and women. The first fruits of whats going to become a lucrative industry. I want a pair made by Fendi.
99942 Apophis Link
A bit of a background on this asteroid. First off, some witty scientist somewhere decided that 2004 MN4 just didn't fit the nature of this Asteroid so they decided to rename it after an Egyptian God of death Apep - 'The Destroyer.' (Really, because they were fans of Stargate SG-1... I wish I was kidding.) On Friday, April 13, 2029 Apophis will actually come close enough to Earth that it will pass below our orbiting geo-synchronous communications satellites. Be sure to join me in giving it the finger as it passes by. According to the lovable bean crunchers at NASA, the physics says it will not strike the moon or the earth but it will come close enough to a 400 mile gravitational 'window' where the Earth's gravity may alter its course for a return visit a few years later... April 13, 2036... when its likely that it could strike somewhere in an a narrowly calculated arc between Russia and Africa, and make a significant hole on this planet.
I know what you're thinking. Lets just send a bunch of oil rig workers up on the space shuttle to drill into its core and seed it with some nukes. Then we can set the lovable antics of said crew on Fox News and to an Aerosmith soundtrack. We'll show that terrorist asteroid what gettin' r done the awesome way looks like.... Besides, America should focus on more important things.... like who's Anna Nicoles baby's daddy...
Autism Research Link
An interesting article on recent genetic findings.
Limb Regeneration Link
Brings new meaning to the year of the boar. Science says happy Chinese New Year.
Androids in 10 years? Link
The fact that this was published in the Telegraph makes me slightly suspect, but I know where this path of research is headed.... 10 years seems a bit optimistic to me.
Self Assembling Batteries Link
Nanotechnology at work. After all, we have to figure out some way to power nanobots...
Nanomaterials Link
Nanomanufactured clay particles to polymers and you get science.
Marvin Minsky Link
One of AI's leading thinkers discusses robotics, artificial intelligence, and contemporary approaches in neuroscience. I personally got a kick out of reading his yoda-like rage on contemporary neuroscholarship.
Soft Robots Link
Will robots look like the steel and gold automatons we've come to know and love? Chances are they may look like more like Liea than R2-D2...
The Transhumanist Debate Link
The debate over the conscious choice to to engineer our own biology continues... we may not have a choice in the matter. Read on, but if sea level rises we all might have to hack some gills into our genetic code...
Nanosensors Link
Some of the most promising discoveries in nanotech are in sensors. Strangely, the most disturbing and intrusive applications for nanotechnology are also in this area of research. My personal favorite quote,
Although he will not specify when devices using the sensors will be available, Reed says it should be soon. "I work on a lot of things that I'll never see in my lifetime," he says. "This will happen in my lifetime."
This will only accelerate the speed at which we understand our own biology, the world around us, and how to hack it.
Climate Change Haters...
Ok, newsflash - I'm opinionated.
Lets drill into this a bit further, and to give those who don't have my point of view an equal opportunity to express their voice...
This link will however contest that Fred Singer is a well known contractor for oil and tobacco industries. Go ahead, look at his record. I would use the term Junk Scientist, but that would imply his basis of hypothesis on actual data..)
I don't understand how there are elements of our government that are still willing to accept fallacies regarding the climate change 'debate' considering the astronomical amount of evidence that basically says, 'We're screwed. Pick what you want - screwed at volume 3 or screwed at volume 11.' The National Science Foundaiton, the Petagon and the EPA are on board... three major executive branch agencies. Strangely, thats not the message we get from our leadership. Instead, we get more measures to quiet an overwhelming landslide of evidence...
The deterioration of Arctic ice reserves is happening faster than any scientist has predicted. Furthermore, its accelerating. Science says we need to make changes to our lifestyles today. To procrastinate is at our own peril, and that of future generations. This peril is a global peril. It is not uniquely American. On a more personal and deeply ethical note, I really do feel that ignoring or discrediting this catastrophe is equivalent to saying that the Holocaust didn't exist. I'm at that point people. If the west Antartic ice shelf hits open water, scientists say sea level rises 20 feet. That means 2 billion people displaced globally. Terrorism is dwarfed by the demise we face if this goes unchecked, snowballed, and negligently ignored by our nations leadership.
Take hope, where there is challenge there is also opportunity, and for the capitalists out there - profit. Don't let the Exxons of the world (and their lobbyists) tell you otherwise. Green, carbon neutral, and environmental repair technology is pro-business. Ours is a nation of accomplishing the impossible. Our men and women have given their lives to noble causes in our past. We have sent our countrymen to the Moon. We have harnessed the power of the atom. Today we need to have a new calling. Today we all need to make an effort to save our planet before its too late. We're running out of time.
Wouldn't you like America to lead the world in somehting other than war?
Fortunately, Exxon has finally decided to concede. A good first step, but we have a lot of work to do...
