Editorials in 2011

A European high court ruling on the patentability of inventions related to human embryonic stem cells could promote secrecy and reduce access to data and cell lines.

The US government's initiative to create a national blueprint for a 21st century bioeconomy is too narrowly drawn. A more expansive vision is needed.

Optogenetics—until now primarily a tool for asking questions in basic research—is starting to spur efforts oriented toward biomedical applications.

Whole-genome sequencing and crowdsourced analyses proved a powerful adjunct to traditional typing in the recent Escherichia coli outbreak.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) should follow its advisory panels and rescind metastatic breast cancer from Avastin's label.

Few of Europe's struggling young biotechs are likely to benefit from the latest ∼€107 ($154) million tranche of Innovative Medicines Initiative (IMI) funding.

To what extent do the effort and resources employed in generating a de novo whole genome sequence merit a high-profile publication?

Innovative drug development is already difficult, but it's particularly difficult in chronic diseases with existing treatments.

The launch of Nature Biotechnology's Trade Secrets blog reflects the growing importance of biotech in emerging markets.

Fifteen years after Nature Biotechnology was launched, the old paradigms in life science commercialization are no longer tenable. It's time to realign the interests of companies, patients and payors so that innovation is prioritized.

The Chinese market is a big draw for biotech investors, but overreliance on central control and insular vision could derail the sector.

The Obama administration's hint at regulatory rollback may make stricter oversight of direct-to-consumer (DTC) genetic testing less inevitable, particularly as fresh evidence on consumer attitudes suggests buyers can handle the information.

A European guideline on biosimilar monoclonal antibodies suggests smaller trials with homogeneous, younger patient groups may suffice for marketing authorization.