Hmmmm...well if not a mass market paradigm then what paradigm IS this "emerging industry and technique [that] is coming" going to use instead???
Since I have my own concerns about the future of the conventional mass market paradigm, as you know, I'd be interested in what paradigm shift you anticipate in this case.
I am glad you ask, but I must clarify this point, and create a common definition as there is a danger of miscommunication.
"mass market" in my opinion refers to applications that are able to be positioned to a larger target user group, or consumers. It also implies a market landscape that is broad perhaps horizontal rather than vertical, yes? This would be the opposite of niche or specialist market positioning, Yes?
It does not in my opinion, also imply a "one size fits all" product segmentation. It could contain also entry level, mid range and high end segments. In the case of our discussion, mass market in pharmaceutical applications is certainly a single product position targeting a large or largest possible target consumer group.
However stem cell research is not only going to produce pharma applications, far from it.
Stem cell research will provide applications such as organ synthesis, bone marrow, tissue and platelet farms. these are applications that will be largely prohibitive in cost to the consumer because, of the requirement to customize his product for HIM. There is a mass market appeal for the kind of service or product, as everyone will want it or desire it. There is no small or niche market community or target user group interested in such a product. However there is no generic protocol for it's production it cannot be "mass produced" NOT "mass market" the wrong term is being bandied about in this debate in my opinion.
Mass production however is a constraint that will be overcome not via production efficiency or any other technological development. However it will be overcome by financial services innovations. At the moment startups are recruiting even at my university to compel doctoral and graduate students to join companies at the forefront of this research. It is happening with a higher and higher frequency. The sales spiel is very good they are very slick. The revenue model will be based on an "insurance" premium payed by a client, that provides organ repositories / banks, or platelet farms or whatever the application, to be prepared in advance to the paying customer, should he need to avail himself of the services he is subscribing to. It's going to lead to ethical dilemmas in the future, some of which have been portrayed in visionary science fiction novels and movies.