Indonesia Relents Over Bird-Flu Sample Release

The high cost of health care has developing nations thinking ahead and balking at participating in global studies. After refusing to share H5N1 avian-flu samples with the World Health Organization, Indonesia has since relented and sent the samples on to researchers in the US. Indonesia “wants a material transfer agreement to protect its rights over the samples,” as well as access to any affordable vaccines developed from the samples, reports a brief article in Nature. A spokesman noted that the negotiations limit WHO’s use of the samples to research, with any commercial applications requiring Indonesia’s consent. Taking a cue from the pharmaceutical industry, developing nations expect a share of the profits should epidemics and vaccines materialize. – YaleGlobal