I can't stand the idea that the Government will give scientist X $100,000 to run some experiments, from which he discovers a new medicine that he in turn sells for millions of dollars.
Nuggin: You should check out the Bayh-Dole act on google to see why exactly the government is supporting research in this way. Basically, the rational for this strongly supported bill that passed with wide majorities is that the government wants to advance as much science and technology as possible as fast as possible that is in the publics interest. And, surprise, surprise, they determined that the best way to do this is to make such research as remunerative as possible to the participating parties.
The act has been an unqualified success in promoting research and bringing the fruits of that research to the public. And the industries that have been spawned by that research have paid back the country, including taxpayers like you, 1000 fold in employment and taxes. Understanding the intricacies of these issues is one of the reasons this country is a republic and not a democracy.