MoxBlog

Kary Mullis is an American biochemist whose work is literally saving lives. He invented polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The science behind it is very sciencey, but it has some amazing applications. It means people can be tested for genetic carriers, alerting them to problems before they even start. If you get cancer, PCR can be used to tailor your therapy, making it more effective. It's used in prenatal testing and has even improved organ donation. So Mullis is basically a hero who probably totally deserved that Nobel Prize in Chemistry they gave him in 1993.

But strangely for a scientist, he doesn't seem to believe in much science. For example, CNN says he has very publicly supported the work of virologist Peter Duesberg, who says AIDS is not caused by HIV. Instead, he believes people in Africa get AIDS because of "parasites, malnutrition, and poor sanitation," and that those outside Africa get it from long-term drug use.

Mullis also doesn't seem to understand climate change. According to Skeptical Science, he has said it isn't caused by humans since the climate was changing before humans existed. In one of his books (via the New York Times) Mullis wrote he totally believes in astrology, was rescued from a fatal accident by a person traveling in an astral plane, and once conversed with an alien disguised as a raccoon. He's also a fan of LSD, if you hadn't guessed. At least he invented PCR.

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