Commercialization of Science

In recent decades, science - particularly in Western countries - has been trending toward privatization and commercialization, viewed as a commercial commodity whose primary - or even sole - objective is material gain. Terms such as the “commercialization and monetization of science” are common these days, and some universities and scientific institutions are even urging this trend, with seminars, training courses, and conferences organized to this effect. Although we recognize the benefits of establishing a relationship between science, its institutions and centers, and the world of finance, business, commerce and industry - for example, by bringing investments into the field of advanced scientific research - we believe that the harms of this trend on science and scientists - and indeed humanity in general - are more than its benefits. Turning science into a commodity contributes to the moral, ethical and epistemological degradation of science and its role in human life, and encourages the spread of corruption and illegal practices within academic and research entities such as universities, research centers, specialized scientific journals and the like. In this article, we will briefly review this trend and assess its negative effects and repercussions on the progress of science and knowledge and their role in human life and the evolution of human civilization and its future.