Setting Free the Genes: Clinton-Blair Weigh in On The Side of Free Access to Human Genome, Sending Celera's Stock Tumbling
In a joint statement, the two leaders said research into the human genetic blueprint was "one of the most significant scientific projects of all time. To realize full promise of the research, raw fundamental data on the human genome including the human DNA sequence and its variations, should be made freely available to scientists everywhere."
Clinton and Blair praised the project's own policy to release "raw fundamental information" about the human DNA sequence and its variants rapidly into the public domain. Open access to information on the human genome would "promote discoveries that will reduce the burden of disease, improve health around the world, and enhance the quality of life for all humankind," they added.
They called for scientists around the world to adopt this policy. However, while calling for the data to be freely available, the two leaders stressed that inventions which built on that information should be protected by law.
"Intellectual property protection for gene-based inventions will also play in important role in stimulating the development of important new health care products," they said.
And what did Celera say?
Quoting directly from the company statement: "Celera Genomics welcomes the statement. Its own mission is completely consistent with the goals of assuring that the world's researchers have access to this important information to enable advances and discoveries that will improve the human condition.
Since the announcement of Celera's formation we have made a clear commitment that upon our completion of the consensus human genome we would publish it in a peer-reviewed scientific journal and make it available to researchers for free."
By Laura DeFrancesco