An amazing story behind this year's Nobel Prize

Behind this year's Nobel Prize in Medicine is a remarkable story of Mario R. Capecchi, who was born in Italy, survived the fascist regime to immigrate to the US, studied political science before moving to MIT and Harvard, and worked with the man who discovered the double helical structure of the DNA, James Watson. For academics, perhaps the most interesting part of Capecchi's story is that he left his faculty position at Harvard for the University of Utah, reportedly because of disagreements and infighting at Harvard and the atmosphere in Utah that allowed for more long-term projects instead of demanding immediate results. The article about Capecchi and the other two Nobel Prize winners in Medicine for 2007 is available from The New York Times. Here is an excerpt:

When young Mario was not yet 4, the Gestapo came to their home in Tyrol, in the Italian Alps, to take his mother to the Dachau concentration camp — an event he said he remembered vividly.

Because she knew her time of freedom was limited, she had sold all her possessions and given the proceeds to an Italian farming family, with whom Mario lived for about a year. When the money ran out, the family sent him on his way. He said he wandered south, moving from town to town as his cover was exposed. He wandered, usually alone, but sometimes in small gangs, begging and stealing, sleeping in the streets, occasionally in an orphanage.

Aging Gay in the USA

While it is not surprizing that older gay and lesbian Americans face prejudice and discrimination, it is only recently that the issue has been brought nation-wide attention as a number of social justice organizations have tried to educate the public and fight discrimination. An article in The New York Times by Jane Gross reports on the issue:

Elderly gay people like Ms. Donadello, living in nursing homes or assisted-living centers or receiving home care, increasingly report that they have been disrespected, shunned or mistreated in ways that range from hurtful to deadly, even leading some to commit suicide.

Some have seen their partners and friends insulted or isolated. Others live in fear of the day when they are dependent on strangers for the most personal care. That dread alone can be damaging, physically and emotionally, say geriatric doctors, psychiatrists and social workers.