Genetic Engineers Win $500,000

Two researchers whose groundbreaking work led to genetic engineering and spawned the multibillion-dollar biotechnology industry won the nation's richest prize for medicine and biomedical research Friday.

Second only to the $1.4 million Nobel Prize in monetary value, the $500,000 Albany Medical Center Prize was presented to Stanley N. Cohen of Stanford University and Genentech co-founder Herbert W. Boyer of the University of California at San Francisco.

The two scientists met at a conference in 1972 and formed a partnership that led to the development of recombinant DNA a year later. The pioneering technology, which involves transferring genes from one organism to another, allowed scientists to isolate and clone genes in living cells.

Their research enabled the mass production of hormones and other chemicals once made only by the human body, such as insulin for treating diabetes. It also gave rise to genetically modified plants that are more pest- and disease-resistant.

The use of GM crops is widespread in the United States, but many European countries have resisted the technology amid fears that such food may be unsafe.

Cohen, 69, emphasized that the medical advances to treat diseases and the wealth generated by the biotech industry came about by applying basic research.

"Herb and I didn't set out to invent genetic engineering. We set out to study basic biological phenomena," Cohen said. "Out of our pursuit of this basic research came discoveries that have been of practical benefit."

Cohen and Boyer's work initially caused a stir in the scientific community with some researchers worrying that genetic manipulation of different species may introduce potentially dangerous germs.

In 1975, hundreds of scientists met to discuss the safety of genetic engineering. That gathering led to oversight by the National Institutes of Health, which published the first guidelines on recombinant DNA technology in 1976, the same year Boyer co-founded the biotech company Genentech Inc.

Earlier this month, Genentech reported strong first quarter profits buoyed by the launch of its newest cancer drug Avastin.

Both Cohen and Boyer said they were against using genetic engineering to produce "designer babies" or clone humans. Instead, Boyer said, scientists should use gene cloning to create diagnostic therapies to treat such ills as cancer.

"There's no way we're going to postpone death," Boyer said, "but we can live more productive lives."

Cohen and Boyer patented their technology in 1980, which earned their universities more than $100 million in royalties. Cohen is a professor of genetics and medicine at Stanford. Boyer is professor emeritus of biochemistry and biophysics at UCSF.

The two said they have not yet made up their minds about how to spend the prize money. Both said they were leaning toward donating a portion to their foundations that support biomedical education.

The pair previously won the Albert Lasker Award for Basic Medical Research in 1980 and the Lemelson-MIT Prize in 1996.

The Albany Medical Prize award was established in November 2000 by a $50 million gift to Albany Medical Center from Morris "Marty" Silverman, a New York City businessman.

By Alicia Chang