Inside the Anticommons: Academic scientists’ struggle to build a commercially self-supporting human mutations database, 1999–2001

Abstract

According to proponents of ‘the tragedy of the Anticommons’ hypothesis, resources with fragmented ownership are often under-exploited. This paper describes how approximately 100 academic biologists tried to trade their data for corporate support of a worldwide Depository for human mutations data. Although the group obtained a $ 2.3 million offer, it became deadlocked in trying to respond. Analysis of this failure suggests that Anticommons effects exist in biotechnology. Deadlock occurred because most members could not afford the information costs needed to reach a decision. Project advocates tried to reduce the Anticommons effects by making information easier to obtain. Opponents added to the information burden of members by making assertions that could not easily be checked.