The Prepared Mind: What does it take to turn discovery into

practice?

Clifton LeafClifton LeafThe Prostate Net Rutgers SymposiumThe Prostate Net Rutgers SymposiumRutgers UniversityRutgers UniversityMay 15, 2010May 15, 2010

James Lind, James Lind, A Treatise of the ScurvyA Treatise of the Scurvy, , 17531753

Francis Peyton Rous, viral carcinogenesisFrancis Peyton Rous, viral carcinogenesis

The Prepared Mind: What does it take to turn discovery into

practice?

Clifton LeafClifton LeafThe Prostate Net Rutgers SymposiumThe Prostate Net Rutgers SymposiumRutgers UniversityRutgers UniversityMay 15, 2010May 15, 2010

James Lind, James Lind, A Treatise of the ScurvyA Treatise of the Scurvy, , 17531753

Francis Peyton Rous, viral carcinogenesisFrancis Peyton Rous, viral carcinogenesis

“If I had called it a virus, my grant applications would have automatically been put into the category of ‘unrespectable proposals.’ As long as I used the word ‘factor,’ it was respectable genetics.”

—JOHN BITTNER

MILK FACTOR

Judah Folkman, AngiogenesisJudah Folkman, Angiogenesis

What did all these discoverers have in common?

Their minds were prepared to see something in a new light.

‘‘In the field of observation,chance favors only the

prepared mind.’’——Louis PasteurLouis Pasteur

But the question is:

Does the community at large have to be equally prepared in order to see it?

Smoking and cancer . . .Smoking and cancer . . .

1761—Hill (snuff > nasal cancer)1761—Hill (snuff > nasal cancer) 1795—von Sommerring (pipes > lip cancer)1795—von Sommerring (pipes > lip cancer) 1920—Broders (pipes > lip cancer)1920—Broders (pipes > lip cancer) 1928—Lombard & Doering (heavy smoking 1928—Lombard & Doering (heavy smoking

> cancer)> cancer) 1938—Pearl (heavy smoking > cancer)1938—Pearl (heavy smoking > cancer) 1950—Wynder & Graham; Doll & Hill 1950—Wynder & Graham; Doll & Hill

(smoking > lung cancer)(smoking > lung cancer)

Or, again, angiogenesis. . .Or, again, angiogenesis. . .

Why are BIG discoveries Why are BIG discoveries resistedresisted??

Scurvy (tentative push? require investment)Scurvy (tentative push? require investment) Viral oncogenesis (counter to prevailingViral oncogenesis (counter to prevailing

wisdom, uncertain mechanism )wisdom, uncertain mechanism ) Reverse transcription, Copernicanism (heresy)Reverse transcription, Copernicanism (heresy) Angiogenesis (‘outside the nine dots’)Angiogenesis (‘outside the nine dots’) Dangers of smoking (uncomfortable message)Dangers of smoking (uncomfortable message)

It is up to usto turn a mere idea

Into an idea whose time has come.