Editorial: Franklin honors

Among the 11 science, engineering, and business luminaries honored Thursday night with Franklin Institute awards, the best known was Microsoft founder William H. Gates 3d. But the pioneering cancer research done by University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine professor Dr. Peter C. Nowell - awarded a medal in life science - also changed the lives of millions.

It was 50 years ago that Dr. Nowell and a colleague found the link between disease and genetic mutations, discovering an abnormal chromosome that caused a rare form of leukemia.

The discovery of the so-called Philadelphia chromosome led to the development of the drug Gleevec, which works as a cure in most cases. Its wider significance was that finding the link with chromosome damage established the foundation for doctors' modern understanding and research into advancing cancer treatment.

Though Nowell has been honored many times before, the golden anniversary of his breakthrough with the late David Hungerford, from the Fox Chase Cancer Center's Institute for Cancer Research, is a particularly poignant moment to restate society's appreciation for this great scientific achievement.