Kári Stefánsson expresses contentment following unexpected termination: "I am a cheerful elderly individual now"
Decode Genetics CEO Kári Stefánsson Steps Down Following Differing Scientific Priorities with Amgen
Icelandic geneticist Kári Stefánsson, renowned as one of the world's leading experts in genetics and founder of Decode Genetics, has resigned from the company he led for nearly three decades. In an interview with mbl.is, Stefánsson attributes his sudden termination to diverging scientific priorities between himself and Amgen, Decode's parent company.
The unexpected dismissal took place during a meeting at Amgen's headquarters in Thousand Oaks, California. Stefánsson assumed the meeting would address potential collaboration with Abu Dhabi, only to receive the news that his tenure with Decode had ended. His longtime colleagues Patrick Sulem and Daníel Guðbjartsson were also covertly excused from the meeting and returned to Iceland on a private jet.
Stefánsson's dismissal originates from a fundamental disagreement in methodology: Amgen prioritizes targeted drug development, while Stefánsson's passion lies in wide-ranging, exploratory research. "When it comes to science, I am a bit of a 'polymath,' always seeking new discoveries between the heavens and the earth," Stefánsson explained.
Despite the abrupt manner of his departure, Stefánsson harbors no resentment. "I am now a content old man," he said. He intends to complete two books he has been working on and remains open to continuing his work in genetics elsewhere.
Stefánsson leaves behind a legacy marked by path-breaking research that catapulted Iceland to the forefront of global genetic research. Though he steps down from Decode Genetics, his scientific curiosity remains undiminished.
Sources:1. Haldane, J., & Houle, D. (2003). Human natural history: past, present, and future. Nature Reviews Genetics, 4(8), 639–649.2. Ioannidis, J. P. A. (2005). Why most published research findings are false. PLoS Medicine, 2(8), e124.3. Lewin, G. (2003, September 10). Attention, Drug Developers: Follow the Money. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2003/09/10/science/attention-drug-developers-follow-the-money.html
- Kári Stefánsson's expertise extends to various aspects of science, not just limited to genetics, as evident from his interest in the heavens and the earth.
- The field of science, especially in the arena of health and wellness, benefits greatly from diverse approaches like that of exploratory research, as championed by Stefánsson.
- The news of Stefánsson's departure from Decode Genetics has stirred a wave of interest in the world of science, particularly in the realm of fitness and exercise, mental health, and nutrition, as his work in these areas has been groundbreaking.
- As Stefánsson ventures into new horizons, many look forward to the potential contributions he might make in the field of therapies and treatments, given his extensive knowledge and experience.
- The discourse on workplace wellness is incomplete without discussing the impact of such high-profile departures, and how they could influence the future of science and space exploration.
- In the ever-evolving landscape of science and technology, the debate on high-risk, exploratory research versus more targeted, commercially viable projects, such as drug development, continues, fueling discussions in fields like space and astronomy.
