Born Jul 10 1936
Process for Producing Biologically Functional Molecular Chimeras
Patent Number 4,237,224
Herb Boyer was with the University of California, San Francisco when he began investigating DNA with Stan Cohen. Their experiments marked the beginning of genetic engineering and launched the multi-billion dollar biotechnology industry. By early 1973, Boyer and Cohen determined that they were able to add genes from an organism to a simple cell; the genes would then replicate in the cell. Their recombinant DNA patents generated over $250 million in royalties before expiring. Recombinant DNA technology is considered the most significant achievement in molecular biology since Watson & Crick's work in 1953. After working with Cohen, Boyer joined forces with venture capitalist Robert Swanson to create the biotechnology firm Genentech, Inc.
Genetic engineering has created a new medical and scientific world; Cohen and Boyer’s discovery made it possible to map the human genome as well as produce synthetic insulin and genetically modified food (GM foods).