“Read any scientific paper or grant proposal on basic research into neglected diseases and you inevitably find a claim that the work could lead to new therapies for diseases that affect millions of people in the developing world. Few, in fact, ever do, and scientists, universities and research funders are waking up to the fact that part of the blame lies with them and their perpetuation of a reward culture that focuses excessively on papers and patents, and not on whether the research actually benefits society.” (Declan Butler in Nature Outlook: Neglected diseases Vol. 449, No. 7159 pp158-159).
My question is: can academic research do more in fighting neglected diseases?
I think so, do you?