OpenScience validates OpenSource
This story on Slashdot points to a New York Times story (that is ironically hidden behind a pay-wall) on how the open sharing of scientific data lead to unprecedented advances in Alzheimer’s research.
OpenSource advocates have long maintained that by having more eyes looking at the code, they are able to develop better software than traditional closed source methods. While this story isn’t a slam-dunk for OpenSource vs. closed source, it certainly shows that there are benefits to sharing data.
A more chilling thought is how many more advances in medical science may be lurking out there if only scientists were encouraged to share? As some commentators point out, the “madness” of the patent system strongly encourages researches to keep their data secret. This begs the question, are patents hindering progress in some areas of science rather than helping it?
