Credit were credit is due...

I hate politics! That's why I never wanted to enter the field of political science, law of any kind, or ever even see myself running for any seat, office or quasi-position supposedly representing the community in which I would be serving. Politics just makes a lot of things really boring, personal to the TRILLION POWER, and empty rhetoric. That's my personally feeling, though. I'm pretty sure there are individuals out there worse than myself, but I am not one to judge. Can controversy not be smeared all across over politics? That is a good question.

So, I am a scientist and deeply involved in research and all that surrounds it. Now most people, in general, enjoy having their hard work, discoveries, inventions, etc etc etc, recognized publicly. There isn't an award more public than the Nobel Prize. That is by far the award of all awards, the recognition of all recognition, not only in field of science, but literature, peace, economics, and a few others. There is a limit for each award, which is three individuals. Recently the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine was given to Harold zur Hausen, for his discovery of HPV (human papilloma virus)...which is one of the main causes of cervical cancer, and was later followed with a vaccine for cervical cancer as well, and Francoise Barre-Sinoussi along with Luc Montagnier, for their discovery of HIV (human immunodeficiency virus)...HIV causes AIDS...their discovery has led to many HIV drugs and treatments.

The reason for the unknown controversy to you, known to those in the world of science who follow, is that back when HIV was first discovered there were two "camps" which proclaimed discovery: (1) the French camp, and (2) the US camp, where Dr. Gallo (AIDS virologist) was the head man in regards to the discovery of HIV. There has been a long dispute between the two camps since then trying to claim the rights and credit of the discovery.

Now in 1997, President Reagan and the French Prime Minister at the time made an agreement, where both countries shared money, royalties and credit for the discovery of HIV. Fast-forward to 2008, now, and Dr. Gallo isn't even mentioned...hmmm...I smell some controversy. It's very interesting indeed. It's not enough to even say that Dr. Gallo wasn't happy with not even being whispered on the tongues of those that made the decision to give the Nobel Prize this year. I say give credit to where credit is due. If I was in agreement with another team in taking credit, and royalties for a discovery that was influential world-wide, and I wasn't mentioned at all or even recognized! I would be livid, and driven to insight some form of verbal argument or even a fist fight! I'm just joking. I would be angry though. I'm past fighting. Why fight when you can sue...lol...and clearly, I am referring to the politics behind every organization, company, board of directors...the list goes on and on and on.