Nobel medal will return to Watson
Usmanov bought the Nobel medal of the discoverer of the structure of DNA
The richest Russian billionaire Alisher Usmanov bought the Nobel medal of American biologist James Watson for $ 4.1 million at Christie's auction, the press service of USM Holdings told Forbes on Tuesday.
Watson won the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1962. He received the award together with scientists Francis Crick and Maurice Wilkins for the discovery of the structure of the DNA molecule. The biologist put the medal up for sale, promising to give the funds received to Cambridge University, the University of Chicago and a number of other scientific institutions.
Usmanov purchased the medal to return it to Watson, USM Holdings reported. The billionaire, whose words are quoted in the message, called the situation in which a scientist sells an award received for his achievements unacceptable. Usmanov noted that he highly appreciates Watson's contribution to the development of modern science and "did not want the medal of an outstanding scientist to become a bargaining chip."
"Watson's work contributed to research on the fight against cancer, from which my father died. It is important for me that my funds will be directed to scientific research, and the award will remain with the person who deserved it like no other," Usmanov stressed.
A 66 mm diameter medal made of 23-carat gold by James Watson was sold at Christie's auction. In addition to the medal, Watson sold a five-page handwritten draft of his speech at the award ceremony and a handwritten text of the lecture he delivered after receiving the award. In total, the value of the lot at the auction was $5,367 million. The auction website states that all three items were purchased anonymously.
Bidding for the medal began at $1.5 million. After reaching the $3.8 million mark, only two participants remained in the auction. Taking into account the auction commission (15%), the lot cost the winner $4.76 million.
In 2012, the Russian Forbes named Alisher Usmanov philanthropist of the year. During that year, the businessman's expenses for charity, according to his representatives, amounted to $ 150.8 million. The billionaire himself told Forbes that he plans to retire from business in five years and focus on charitable projects. Usmanov established the foundations "Art, Science and Sport" and "For the Future of Fencing", supporting projects in the relevant fields. In an interview with Forbes in 2013, the businessman said that he also plans to create funds that will be associated with the development of science, art and sports in Russia and in his historical homeland – Uzbekistan.
Portal "Eternal youth" http://vechnayamolodost.ru09.12.2014