Real-Time Scientific Data Sharing on Zika Virus Leading to Future Practice

A group of scientists at University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA, led by Professor Dave O’s Connor started their study on Zika virus and its effects on fetus development using pregnant monkeys in their study. The scientists injected Zika in pregnant monkeys on Feb. 15, 2016 and provide real-time detailed reports of the progress of the study on their website. People who are interested can follow the progress of the study now; they do not need to wait until the study is over and go through the prolonging peer review and publication processes. 

 According to his interviews, O’Connor realized that there are moral and ethical issues involved with the study, but the data from the study is urgently needed. The study is inevitable. He felt “sad and heartbroken” to see what would happen with the unborn baby monkeys. However, this is the only way we have to help pregnant women in the countries affected by zika.

Besides the moral and ethical issues, information disclosure is another concern of the study. Data from the study such as the infected monkey’s ultrasounds, blood test, etc. is posted right away on their website. Obviously, this real time data sharing is not a usual norm for biology. 

Why we need open data 

The most important reason to release the data from the study right away is that there are a great number of people suffering from Zika and scientists from around the world are urgently seeking the information on the Zika virus. The open data will promote collaboration among scientists and researchers who are working on the virus. Other scientists can contact O’Connor to give opinions and suggestions which may help the scientists at Wisconsin find out the solution sooner. 

Furthermore, the World Health Organization has noted, researchers who study public health emergencies have a “fundamental moral obligation to share preliminary results once they are adequately quality controlled.” 

Image credit : http://www.nature.com/

Following concerns 

Real-time research data sharing can be greatly beneficial for scientific community, but not all scientists are happy with the new movement. For instance, a group of researchers complained after New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) researchers used their preliminary data in another research study and did not adequately give them credit.

Moreover, many researchers are worried that if their research data is publicized, the chances of getting their works published in peer-reviewed journals will be smaller. Without having adequate publication, they will not get tenure and grants. 

The concerns are not the end of the open data practice in biology, but the beginning of the development. It would be great if we can find a way to utilize research results sooner while researchers are still rewarded for their hard works. One example of the effort, Accelerating Science and Publication in Biology (ASAPbio) is a meeting in Washington D.C. that aims to accelerate the pace of research in biology by removing barriers to the use of preprints. 

I am certain that we will see a lot of changes related to scientific data sharing. There will be lot of controversies as well. Hopefully, we will find a solution that can benefit public and other related parties. 

Getting Ready for Startups. Some Suggestions for Developing Countries

 
I have heard the word, "Startup", for  years. Of course, it is not a new concept in the US. However, I'm  hearing this word more often nowadays, especially, in some Asian countries. I am not wondering why. There are a number of successful Startups in the US. Startup businesses have become a significant driver for US economy.  People around the world know Uber, AirBnb, Instagram, etc. The businesses are changing market environment and people lifestyle. There is no doubt that Startup can help countries boost their economy. The question is... Is everybody ready for Startup? 

There are several factors that make Startups in the US so successful. People in the US have accesses to education, talents, funds, technical supports, etc. These critical infrastructures were not built in a day; the US has been building and developing these infrastructures for decades. I am looking at Thailand, a developing country in Asia. Startups have gained the attention of people from diverse sectors. Both government and private sectors are talking about Startups. They are trying to make Thailand a Startup hub in Southeast Asia. In my opinion, there are many things they need to prepare in order to be ready to achieve the goal.

• First of all, they need to understand the nature of Startup. Startups are not million-dollar businesses, not newborn businesses, and not the businesses founded by young people. The most important characteristic of Startup is the potential to create changes. Startups are the businesses that are changing how people think, trade, eat, have fun, and so on. Therefore, Startups' products or services based on innovation in one way or another. Startups' is offering solutions for unsolved problems. Startup is discovering consumers' new behaviors. The key components to create a Startup are creativity, differentiation, and trial and error. 
• Second, they need to prepare the infrastructure needed to start and foster Startups. The infrastructures are: 
• The right education system: The right education system should encourage students to be creative, to be different, to be dare to be wrong. The mentality will open the door for innovation. 
• Access to funding: Funding should also focuses on the potential of the ideas of the products or services. Besides traditional qualifications, funding agencies should be able to distinguish the business ideas that can be developed to Startup and give them opportunities. There should be more diverse funding sources such as crowdfunding like Kickstarter.com. 

• Copyright and patent systems: People in the country should have the right understanding of and respect copyright and patent systems. Government should be in charge of finding more effective ways to protect intellectual property. 
• Appropriate law and policy making: Many technologies cannot be commercialized because they are not supported by current laws and policies. Updating laws and policy is taking too long and cannot catch up with the speed of technological development. 
• Technological Infrastructures: They need to have high-speed internet that can handle consumer needs, internet security that can protect online activities, accountable Cloud, reliable transportation systems, and so on. 

These are just a few, but critical if they want to promote Startup.