Usually it is expected that researchers should make available all the reagents used/studied in their publication unless they are commercially available.
Recently one author refused to send me a protein gene studied in their paper stating that I should order gene synthesis instead.
Indeed, these days one can order synthesis of any gene, although it's not cheap.
So does this allow someone to weasel their way out of this ethical responsibility? Not just in philosophical but in a practical sense - that they cannot be subject to disciplinary action by journals and scientific community.
I suppose this is a matter of opinion. Mine is that it is the obligation of the author to supply such things to colleagues who have a legitimate scientific need for them when asked, with some exceptions. Here are some possible exceptions.
1. A lot of time has passed since the publication and the reagent is no longer available.
2. There is a biohazard safety concern.
3. The reagent is proprietary (patented, or a patent application has been filed), and sharing it would compromise its commercial potential. In such a case, the owner may request that a license be taken for the transfer.
I suppose this is a matter of opinion. Mine is that it is the obligation of the author to supply such things to colleagues who have a legitimate scientific need for them when asked, with some exceptions. Here are some possible exceptions.
1. A lot of time has passed since the publication and the reagent is no longer available.
2. There is a biohazard safety concern.
3. The reagent is proprietary (patented, or a patent application has been filed), and sharing it would compromise its commercial potential. In such a case, the owner may request that a license be taken for the transfer.
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