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Two stories about biotech patenting from the "silent majority" in Europe

Danish Agency of Science, Technology and Innovation

^* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: moan{at}fi.dk.

	Abstract

Two decades of intensive policy controversy over the patenting of biotechnological inventions have left largely unexamined what the general public in Europe believes to be at stake. The paper presents the first European interview data with a primary focus on how members of "the silent majority"; understand biotech patenting. Group discussions witness a polarization involving contrasting views of the role of patents in society; first, a libertarian view focusing on e.g. rights and merit; second, a communitarian view focusing on e.g. equality and public welfare. I suggest that these positions, which have long historical roots, are expressions of more fundamental ideas about what "Good Society" is.

First published on May 12, 2009
Public Understanding of Science 2009, doi:10.1177/0963662509102688


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