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John Sulston
39quotes
John Sulston: A Life Dedicated to Science and Humanity
Full Name and Common Aliases
John Victor Thurso Sulston was a British biochemist and molecular biologist who made groundbreaking contributions to our understanding of the genome.
Birth and Death Dates
Born on March 27, 1942, in Fulmer, Buckinghamshire, England. He passed away on October 26, 2018, at the age of 75.
Nationality and Profession(s)
Sulston was a British citizen and worked as a biochemist and molecular biologist throughout his career.
Early Life and Background
John Sulston grew up in a family that valued education and encouraged intellectual pursuits. His early interests in science and mathematics led him to attend the University of Oxford, where he earned a degree in physics. After completing his undergraduate studies, Sulston worked as an engineer for several years before deciding to pursue a career in molecular biology.
Major Accomplishments
Sulston's work on the Human Genome Project revolutionized our understanding of genetics and paved the way for advances in medical research. He was part of the team that published the first complete sequence of a free-living organism, Caenorhabditis elegans, in 1998. This achievement earned him the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 2006.
Notable Works or Actions
Sulston's contributions to science extend beyond his research on the genome. He was a vocal advocate for open access publishing and worked tirelessly to make scientific knowledge available to everyone. In 2001, he co-founded the non-profit organization, the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, which aims to promote collaboration in biomedical research.
Impact and Legacy
John Sulston's work has had a profound impact on our understanding of human biology and disease. His commitment to open access publishing has also helped democratize scientific knowledge and facilitate global collaboration. As a scientist, educator, and advocate, Sulston left an indelible mark on the world of science and beyond.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
John Sulston's quotes often reflect his commitment to using science for the greater good. He believed that scientists have a responsibility to communicate their findings in a way that is accessible and meaningful to everyone. His words continue to inspire researchers, policymakers, and individuals around the world who strive to harness scientific knowledge for the benefit of humanity.
As we reflect on John Sulston's life and legacy, it becomes clear that his passion for science was matched only by his dedication to making the world a better place through its application.
Quotes by John Sulston
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The currencies of science are discoveries and ideas; the rewards are the excitement of going where nobody has been before and, if one is inclined to such things, the kudos of peer acclaim, plus funds to do more research.
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The free market is the epitome of life itself. This is something that all scientists recognise because science itself operates on free market lines.
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The fruits of science and innovation have nourished our society and economy for years, but nations unable to navigate our regulatory system are often excluded, as are vulnerable individuals.
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The human world lives in a framework called global economics. We live in a system based on GDP, which drives consumption. it causes people to compete with each other through trade in a way that they all grow.
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An awful lot of food is thrown away. This you can call a spillover. It doesn't sort of enter into our economic system because it's a consequence of running things in a highly competitive way: the free market, global pricing and so on.
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I believe our basic information, our 'software', should be free and open for everyone to play with, to compete with, to try and make products from. I do not believe it should be under the control of one person.
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In science, as in business, there must be structures that ensure the well endowed do not use their position to block competition.
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In order to protect the market value of a proprietary database, the owner must prohibit redistribution of the contents - otherwise, the information would quickly leak out and be widely known.
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If you patent a discovery which is unique, say a human gene or even just one particular function of a human gene, then you are actually creating a monopoly, and that's not the purpose of the world of patents.
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