Indian Institue of Management 2000 M.B.A CAT - Question Paper

The public sector must therefore continue on to play a major role in the national research system. It is both wrong and misleading to
pose the issue in terms of public sector versus private sector or of privatisation of research. We need to address issues likely
to arise on account of the public-private sector complementarily, and ensure that the public research system performs efficiently.
Complementarily ranging from different elements of research raises several problems in implementing an IPR regime. Private companies do
not produce new varieties and inputs entirely as a outcome of their own research. Almost all technological improvement is based on
knowledge and experience accumulated from the past, and the outcomes of basic and applied research in public and quasi-public
institutions (universities, research organisations). Moreover, as is increasingly recognised, accumulated stock of knowledge does not
reside only in the scientific community and its academic publications, but is also widely diffused in traditions and folk knowledge of
local communities all over.

The deciphering of the structure and functioning of DNA forms the basis of much of modern biotechnology. But this fundamental
breakthrough is a 'public good' freely accessible in the public domain and usable free of any charge. Varieties/techniques developed
using that knowledge can however be, and are, patented for private profit. Similarly, private corporations draw extensively, and
without any charge, on germ plasm available in varieties of plants species (neem and turmeric are by now famous examples). Publicly
funded gene banks as well as new varieties bred by public sector research stations can also be used freely by private enterprises for
developing their own varieties and seek patent protection for them. Should private breeders be allowed free use of basic scientific
discoveries? Should the repositories of traditional knowledge and germ plasm be collected which are maintained and improved by
publicly funded institutions? Or should users be made to pay for such use? If they are to pay, what should be the basis of
compensation? Should the compensation be for individuals or for communities/institutions to which they belong? Should individuals/
institutions be provided the right of patenting their innovations? These are a few of the important problems that deserve more attention
than they now get and need serious detailed study to evolve reasonably satisfactory, fair and workable solutions. Finally, the
tendency to equate the public sector with the government is wrong. The public space is much wider than government departments

Earning:   Approval pending.