UNIVERSITIES AND THE MARKER FOR INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY IN THE LIFE SCIENCES

The realms of science and technology in the life sciences ave convergi ng through the commercialization of university research. Major changes in the mandate of research universities were facilitated by both fede ral legislation that has promoted technology transfer and the increase d reliance of business firms on university research and development (R &D). This article discusses the primary factors that are blurring the division of labor between industry and academia in the life sciences, and analyzes the consequences for universities of treating knowledge a s intellectual property Universities' efforts to enhance the commercia l value of life sciences research is causing increased politicization of government research funding, a growing winner-take-all contest betw een the ''have'' and ''have-not'' universities, and subtle but potenti ally profound changes in the culture of academic research.