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They might want first crack at any major discoveries, if they miss something then everyone else gets a crack.

Seems reasonable to me.

Politics and fame over understanding and progress?

If you don't like it, pay for it.

Who paid for this research anyway? Taxpayers or private organizations?

Cern is funded by its member states, i.e. taxpayers:

or politics and fame... and also understanding and progress. we want it all mofos!