Sample characteristics including tool
exchange activities
The scientists in our sample are well qualified
to report on the relevant issues; many have
patented inventions and most are actively
involved in exchanges with colleagues in
academia and industry, both providing and
receiving research tools (defined here to
include such research inputs as vectors, markers,
cell lines and animal models, antibodies,
drugs, transgenic seeds and plants, germplasm,
genes and proteins, and databases, but excluding
commercial kits and products from vendors).
Their responses thus reflect not only
their own practices but also those of many
more colleagues who are their counterparts
in these exchanges.