LETTER: Nobel winners important
To the editor:
I am deeply concerned about an article recently published in the sports section of the Statesman, concerning Nobel winner Mario Capecchi, and which I can only hope was a horrible excuse for a joke. I certainly wasn’t amused by the recommendation of mocking Dr. Capecchi’s ethnicity or the difficulties he experienced early in life in Italy. I believe in the phrase “the wise man is a fool, who allows a fool to speak as if he were wise,” and so would like to take this opportunity to correct the many uninformed comments in the article. Little needs to be said about the many inappropriate comments against Dr. Capecchi’s person, but something does need to be said about the offhand dismissal of his work. “Opening the door to learning the impact of individual genes on human development and in diseases that debilitate or kill millions” (Salt Lake Tribune), should not be met with a proudly proclaimed “so what” or “whatever”, but with cheers for a breakthrough that can fundamentally change human life as we know it, something much more important than any three-pointer. The Nobel Prize is also commonly awarded to groups of researchers, and sharing it with other distinguished minds should be a source of pride. The author doesn’t realize that you don’t “trade” Nobel laureates away for the ability to win a basketball game, and you certainly don’t clean house due to the lack of a laureate on campus. President Albrecht is a strong supporter of research at USU, and continues to work toward advancing our excellent program, which, the author fails to point out, boasts Fellows of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, Royce J. Tipton winners, and many other honorees in all fields, which I do not have space here to list. Utah State’s Undergraduate Research Program is also excellent, and we have consistently produced recipients of the Goldwater, Rhodes, and other awards. Our students are also regular presenters at major conferences in almost every field. Dr. Capecchi’s achievement should be praised, and USU’s tradition of excellent research is a likely source of future laureates.
Cody Tramp