Nobel Jurors Facing Bribery Probe

RockDoctor writes "A report is circulating that in the run-up to the selection of prize-winners for 2006 and 2008, some members of the Nobel jury accepted an expenses-paid trip (or trips) to China to 'explain the selection process.' That's not, in itself, an incriminating event ('Is there something that we're doing incorrectly, or not doing?' is a valid question), and if there was dishonorable intent, it doesn't seem to have worked too well (the last Chinese Nobel Laureate was in 1957). There does seem to be embarrassment about falling into an obvious conflict-of-interest mantrap." PhysOrg mentions that a corruption prosecutor is also looking into a Nobel-related sponsorship from a pharmaceutical company that was linked to one of the winners for this year's Medicine prize.

Comments

Nothing new

[Sooner Boomer]

Almost from the first prize awarded, there have been controversies. This latest round is nothing new, but perhaps remarkable only for its apparent blatentness.

3..2..1..Que

[TapeCutter]

...Al Gore jokes and conspiracy theories.

I get a story idea

[Opportunist]

How about a movie about that? Oh, and I already have the idea for the sequel. A movie about the movie about the hollywood conspiracy and how the movie didn't get a single Oscar nomination despite great reviews.

All rights reversed.

Bah! Humbug.

[redelm]

Modern "Portfolio" Theory has received at least three Nobels. Yet MPT has lead directly and predictably (no fat tails) to the financial crisis.

I'm very unimpressed and becoming highly cynical on what passes for "accepted science." There seems to be a strengthening political element. Quite obvious in the case of Global Warming.

Re:Bah! Humbug.

[teg]

Modern "Portfolio" Theory has received at least three Nobels. Yet MPT has lead directly and predictably (no fat tails) to the financial crisis.

There is no "Nobel Prize" in economics. You've only got "The Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel". As for the peace price, it has had its scope extended a bit - e.g. Al Gore. There's no doubt that setting focus on the problem of increased global warming caused by humans is important, and that this eventually will cause a many conflicts, wars and turmoils (scarcity of water, some countries being submerged etc...). But it's extremely proactive, and he didn't solve the problem - he just helped drawing people's attention to it.

Re:Bah! Humbug.

[AuMatar]

Please note that economics is not a real Nobel Prize- it's an award that the bank which runs the Nobel fund decided to start giving out, and named it similarly. Probably due to fragile egos about not being real scientists.

Re:Nothing to see here... move along.

[Husgaard]

Yes, corruption in Sweden is low, and the tolerance for corruption is low, so it is not unusual for an investigation to be opened if there is just a slight chance there could be corruption.

This started with critical journalism at Sveriges Radio (in swedish). Because of the articles, the public prosecutor is now investigating.

Some of the articles are about the etical problems with Honeywell sponsoring. This is not illegal, and I do not think this is being investigated.

The trips to China are being investigated, but I think this will end with the travelers being freed of all accusations.

More problematic is the role of Astra Zeneca. They are also sponsors. And Bo Angelin, who is in the committee that awarded the price in medicine to Harald zur Hausen is also on the board of Astra Zeneca. Harald zur Hausen got the price for research that has been patented by Astra Zeneca.