Sure, open-source is a good thing. I strongly support OSS and as much as possible run systems at work using FreeBSD, Linux, etc.<p>I've worked in medical practice (and research) for a long time. Considering the vital importance of transactional transparency in carrying out the mission of these fields, as useful as open source is generally, I think the impact in medicine is even greater.<p>But open source is only part of it, <i>open platform</i> is at least as important. I guess I'm not a very trusting soul. Frankly, I don't believe Apple is going to do anything primarily for <i>our</i> good. Rather to my senses the announcement has the flavor of an attempt to gain a toehold or increase market share in the big money research domain.<p>If Apple (or other player) truly wants to generously donate to the public cause, that's wonderful. Then why not support efforts to develop open source, cross-platform apps, assuring all medical research can benefit? Not directed only or in particular at Apple, it's an issue I've raised whenever I have the chance: open source/platform agnostic development can save money and produce more reliable and secure systems.