Nobel prize probe launched

[Robbien]

Source: Toronto Star

Swedish anti-corruption agents are investigating allegations that pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca influenced the awarding of this year's Nobel Prize in medicine.

"I have formally instigated, or started, a criminal investigation," Swedish anti-corruption prosecutor Nils-Erik Schulz told the Star in a telephone interview from Stockholm yesterday.

Schulz's investigation was sparked by claims in the European press that AstraZeneca's sponsorship of two Nobel promotional companies – Nobel Media and Nobel Web – influenced the choice for this year's prize in medicine. As well, two Swedish academics on the committee have close ties to AstraZeneca – one sits on the company's board of directors, while the other was a former consultant to the pharmaceutical company.

Part of the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine was awarded this fall to Harald zur Hausen, a German scientist who discovered the links between human papilloma viruses and cervical cancer.

AstraZeneca stands to make millions from Gardasil, made by Merck, as well as GlaxoSmithKline's Cervarix, thanks to patents it holds.

Read more: http://www.thestar.com/News/World/article/555701

[TankLV]

1. whew! I thought some freepers or repukes were starting the investigation

[No Elephants]

2. Is nothing left that is not corrupt? (Yeah, yeah, I know. No proof yet.)

[FiveGoodMen]

3. Anything that can be corrupted will be.

Eternal vigilance and all that...

[valerief]

7. I always assume everything is mostly corrupt, since power corrupts. nt

[No Elephants]

9. Maybe I am more of an Anne Frank or a Pollyanna than I think I am. Corruption in the Nobel

Prize never entered my mind, one way or the other. Same for the Pulitzer, although, now that I think about it...

[Ian David]

4. This is the biggest scandal since the committee awarded the prize to The Hypnotoad. n/t

[truedelphi]

5. How was it that even before I opened the link, I KNEW it

Would involve the Corporate entity's right to peddle more vaccinations?

<sigh> (At least it is nice and cozy and warm under this huge tinfoil hat of mine)

[olddad56]

6. I feel sorry for the Governor of Illinois...

Nobel prizes are for sale and he can't even sell a senate seat. We are in a deep recession.

[valerief]

8. LOL!!!!

:rofl:

[No Elephants]

10. Ditto LOL