Technology Transfer?

NIH had completed a Director's conference wherein an interesting issue was discussed.

They noted:  

ACD member and working group cochair Dr. M. Roy Wilson walked the assembly through the former topic, outlining the scope of a problem that involves intramural as well as extramural intellectual property potentially targeted for misappropriation by organizations outside the United States. Failure of visiting scientists to report financial conflicts and establishing so-called “shadow labs” that illegally copy U.S. resources are just two types of undue influence that have been documented by recent federal investigations. After taking a look at his own institution (Wayne State University), Wilson said he found warning flags of a similar threat within the research community there. He cautioned ACD members and NIH leaders to be vigilant about protecting the scientific enterprise from those who would take advantage of its culture of open information-sharing for their own personal gain. “The main message is that it’s real,” Wilson said. “There are significant breaches that are occurring at our universities…At the same time, when you look at the large number of investigators that are funded by the U.S. government in one way or another, [the problems account for] a relatively small amount. However it’s enough that it’s just not a random occurrence here and there. It seems to be more systematic and in some cases concentrated at certain institutions. It certainly warrants concern and a response.”

This is, was, and will continue to be a serious issue. Our universities are open to many international students and researchers and as such they all too often have access to the latest technology as well as poorly protected intellectual property. Also these individuals are funded by the US Taxpayer.

The technology is then often taken back to country of residence. There it is often used to compete with US entities.

This is ever more critical in the bio domain because of the IP in therapeutics as well as the use of the bio IP as a weapon.