Marine sourcing, and the long process for developing a viable drug requires international, collaborative approaches. The sample is found in one country, characterized in another, developed in another, tested in another, sold in others by different companies- a perfect symbol of our need for more work platforms that facilitate this interaction.

It's the perfect motivation for global cooperation to protect the precious resources that haven't yet been harvested.

With the Gulf spill touching all of us, I'm struck that the tragedies of its aftermath (if we ever get there) will be with us for generations, not least in lost knowledge and cures.