Very well stated, Hairy4Paws!
I agree with Dave - Well Done

I have a sort of related question. Although I am in agreement that this project has no sinister purposes, I am wondering about its end use. Will the results of this project become part of the public domain for anybody to use either for profit or not? If it is used for profit by private industry should there be a requirement that a portion of the profits be used to fund projects like this or be used for other worthwhile causes, such as providing low cost or free drugs to low income AIDs patients?

Unlike the results of pure government research which is provided to the public without charge this project is being supported by the donations of thousands of private individuals. As such, a different set of rules for the use of this data by for profit organizations should be considered. Without such rules this situation could occur: Drug company X uses the data to develop a new drug. This saves millions in research costs. Even though drug company X saved millions in research expenses, there is no rule requiring it to sell the drug to the public at a reduced cost reflecting the reduced research expenses because of the data this grid project is producing. As such, drug company X can charge whatever it wants for the drug, foreseeably at a price which would excluded low income individuals and members of 3rd world countries. Without some controls or motivation, U.S. businesses will try to sell its products at the greatest possible profit, to the exclusion some customers. To put it another way, would you donate part of your paycheck to General Motors to allow General Motors to make a better Luxury SUV that many people may not be able to afford and to allow the executives at General Motors to get larger year end bonuses?

Hello my little furry friend, I wish I'd said that, with envy

Your friend

I was not being a pessimist. I greatly support the grid project. I was just pointing out that since the grid project is being supported by the efforts of private individuals donating their time and resources, for profit organizations using the data the grid produces should also donate something to benefit mankind. If a new class of vital drugs is produced from the grid's data such drugs should be made available to everyone, not just the wealthy and those individuals with adquate health insurance. Profit is acceptable only if does not supercede human health and welfare. What good does it do anyone to have a drug that could be beneficial but unavailable to many due a quest for profits? As for non-profit research organizations, they should be able to access the grid data at no cost so as to assist in vital basic research and development.