Science Versus Profit in Research: Lessons from the Human Genome Project
39 Pages Posted: 1 Aug 2001
Date Written: July 2001
Abstract
This Paper elaborates on the recent race to sequence the human genome. Starting from the debate arising from the genome case on public versus private research, the Paper shows that in some fundamental research areas, where knowledge externalities play an important role, market and non-market allocation mechanisms do coexist and should coexist in order to ensure socially desirable achievements. A game-theoretic model makes it possible to demonstrate the above results and to characterise some features of an optimal research policy.
Keywords: Science, technology, allocation mechanisms, intellectual property rights, welfare
JEL Classification: D78, H23, H40, O32, O38
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation
Carlo Carraro (Contact Author)
Ca' Foscari University of Venice ( email )
Cannaregio 873
Venice, 30121
Italy
+39 04 1234 9166 (Phone)
+39 04 1234 9176 (Fax)
HOME PAGE: http://www.carlocarraro.org/
CESifo (Center for Economic Studies and Ifo Institute)
Poschinger Str. 5
Munich, DE-81679
Germany
CESifo (Center for Economic Studies and Ifo Institute)
Poschinger Str. 5
Munich, DE-81679
Germany
HOME PAGE: http://www.CESifo.de