The Price of the Nobel Prize

Written by Jason Bellows on 18 October 2005

Sometimes the requirement of giving out a prize annually causes the prize committee to deal the accolades out on someone whose effects aren’t as intense as they’d hope.

Not the case with the 2005 Nobel Prize Laureates for Medicine. The prize was dealt to a pair of Australians chaps, Barry J. Marshall & J. Robin Warren, who theorized that stomach ulcers were not caused by stress as common thinking held, but rather by bacteria. To prove this contention, Barry drank a dose of the suspected microorganisms.

For his efforts not only did he get half a Nobel Prize, but a case of ulcers too.


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#1 Robert Waugh 19 October 2005 at 04:15 am

Should “Launderettes” be “Laureates?” Unless they award prizes to the most dedicated and self-sacrificing individuals who keep the hospital sheets and towels clean by discovering new stain removal techniques. I suspect your spellcheck is quite the comedian. :P

#2 Jason Bellows 19 October 2005 at 08:25 am

You’re quite right, I’ll go correct it, and we’ll just keep this between the two of us, eh?

#3 Mez 22 September 2006 at 09:36 am

For his efforts not only did he get half a Nobel Prize, but a case of ulcers too.

But! The ulcers didn’t last long because he then drank an antibacterial specifically aimed at the Helicobacter pylori bacteria responsible and the ulcers “magically” disappeared. Barry’s car’s number plate is PYLORI. He’s with the University of Western Australia in Perth, where I go to and I’ve been to a lecture from him about this as part of my Science degree.

#4 Drakvil 20 November 2006 at 11:43 am

How many fit in a case of ulcers? Is that like a 6-pack?

#5 Hayley 13 August 2007 at 12:34 pm

He should’ve just drunk a bottle of stress and not gotten the ulcers and still proved his point.

#6 DanThinksDances&femaleGspot 16 August 2008 at 08:13 pm

Enter your reply text here. OK

I don’t mean to sound like an attorney but what is the source? It’s a good concept, good science, but the extra details, well I don’t know?

#7 Mostly Harmless 12 October 2008 at 12:29 am

DanThinksDances&femaleGspot said:
I don’t mean to sound like an attorney but what is the source? It’s a good concept, good science, but the extra details, well I don’t know?”

Probably Wikipedia, Dan. (I’ve been reading all the old articles, so I know wiki’s a pet hate of yours!) lol. Ulcers- what fun!

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The Price of the Nobel Prize