SCIENCE IN THE PRIVATE INTEREST examines the conflicts of interest inherent in corporate sponsorship and entrepreneurship when combined with scientific research. The author discusses issues including the motivations and priorities that the profit motive sets, ethical dilemmas, and questions of ownership of the results of scientific investigations, presenting arguments from various sides. Case studies illustrate the effect that corporate sponsorship and entrepreneurial motives have on research--which most scientists agree should be conducted to obtain knowledge for the sake of knowledge, not for the sake of gain. As background to this precept, the author discusses the four norms of science suggested by sociologist Robert Merton in the 1930s. Copyright (C) Muze Inc. 2005. For personal use only. All rights reserved.