Cheap everything, including drugs, is the value that free markets are supposed to create, to lead to the cheapest - and patents aren't supportive of this. Regarding people who say this research and discoveries wouldn't have happened without ability to patent - there are plenty of researchers, many, if not the majority, who do their work because they want to help people and the field interests them - so if they have their living costs taken care of, and access to the tools they need, they'll be happy and the research would be discovered. The U.S. pushed on the capitalist system to the extremes, and it leads to the acceleration of innovation - though we have enough basic science and technology figured out now, where we should be focusing on taking care of people properly, which we're currently doing a poor job of - doing a good job is where free market value is supposed to lead. Free market capitalism, without protectionism (no longer free market - a popular term hijacked by those in control), leads to the cost of production getting as close to the next unit of production being $0. If something is $0 then everyone can benefit from it. This is why the internet is so valuable, invaluable, and hugely important in the world's progression. If you have an internet connection, then the cost of acquiring the benefit from software created or receiving information is basically $0. Right now though the positive benefits of unchecked capitalism don't outweigh the negative effects that it also generates, fosters. Without patents and the such then the world would benefit in the same way - everyone can very cheaply benefit from software. The problem is many countries have aligned themselves with being in a controlling state, to use leverage for short-term gain - though it is only temporary, and only lasts so long as you maintain control - and control is costly. If the whole world was fitting the bill for new research, the cost to each of us would be practically $0; I won't go deep into the idea that money isn't real either, and that if we were all in service to everyone else, then everyone would be very well taken care of - we're not born into this construct so it's very hard for most people to visualize this experience of living this way, or to feel safe and secure.