The majority of Americans think that the results of taxpayer-funded medical research should be made available online for free. A WSJ/Harris Interactive poll found that about 83 percent of Americans agree with the premise that government-supported research should be made available on the Internet. About the same number--80 percent--said they think that having access to such research would help people with chronic conditions manage their healthcare more effectively. The issue of how the publication of government sponsored research and development should be handled is a tricky one. The publishers of medical journals argue that the move could hurt their businesses. Pharmaceutical and biotech companies have also resisted, arguing that requiring the publication of studies that involve government aid could help competitors.
- see this article from the Wall Street Journal (sub. req.)