If reports of IPCC, with its scary projections, are to be believed, there is no time to reinvent the wheel. For those who believe that public funding and putting knowledge in public domain kills scientific innovation, the HGP experience is exactly the opposite. The market in genomics has taken off after the basic science has been resolved.

Lander, while speaking to The Indian Express at Broad Institute, said that it was the strong emphasis placed on the sharing of all genomics data that enabled scientists to harness the power of genomics. All the sequence data generated by the HGP has been deposited in public data bases and made freely available to scientists around the world, with no restrictions on its use or redistribution.

It is subsequent to this that companies have started using this decoding of genes to tailor-make this information into patentable products. Yes, the final medication or formulation will be patented but not the basic science. In fact, this led to costs coming down drastically for what was once called an expensive science. Despite this, genetics continues to remain an attractive option for private pharma companies.

The other big question is that of leadership. The US has been obstinate on climate change but has shown leadership earlier. Not just in the HGP, but also in the setting up a new structure to help mobilise the global fight against HIV/AIDS. It was in June 2001, the United Nations with strong support from the US, decided to establish an independent mechanism to coordinate resources to combat the HIV pandemic worldwide. The HIV vaccine project being run simultaneously in 30 countries is proof of the US-led initiative. The same Bush administration has been at the forefront of this effort with an initial commitment of $200 million in the first year of the fund.

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