Scientific R&D: time to revise the rules?

Abstract

For several decades scientific R&D has been failing communities around the world, especially in developing countries, by not producing an adequate level of benefits (for example, improved health and living standards) and essential public goods (for example, the provision of safe water, sanitation and energy). It is time for a complete overhaul of the R&D process, with a comprehensive review of the mechanisms by which R&D is financed, how and where the work and results are published and disseminated, how the results and knowledge are exploited, and how ownership is decided. This is particularly important for public goods, for which there is often no market or prospect of commercial return or profit.