By Jessica M. Silvaggi in the Milwaukee-Wisconsin Journal Sentinel

Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee recently announced they've nearly completed development of a water-monitoring system that could help bring clean water to the developing world. This invention could potentially save millions of lives.

But such innovative scientific and technological breakthroughs are now under threat. Federal lawmakers are pursuing misguided legislation that would make it much harder for researchers to protect their intellectual property. Wisconsin's representatives in Washington must reject any new law that cripples local innovation and devastates the state economy.