Por Redaccion 
The jury of the Princess of Asturias Award for Scientific and Technical Research 2025 highlighted this Thursday the scientific career and social commitment of the American geneticist Mary-Claire King, whose candidacy was unanimously chosen. Among other aspects, they emphasized her impact on cancer genetics and her dedication to social causes and human rights, especially her work in identifying victims of forced disappearances.
Mathematician and jury member of this award, Peregrina Quintela, defined King as «a source of inspiration and a woman with a very bright, very human trajectory» and emphasized her contribution to the study of breast and ovarian cancer. Quintela also valued King’s decision not to patent her discoveries, which, in her opinion, «has made it easier for all women to access these techniques.»
Biologist and jury member, Ginés Morata, categorized King as «an extraordinary scientist» whose discoveries «have not only had a huge scientific impact, but also a tremendous social impact,» referring to the BRCA1 gene, whose discovery «has saved millions of lives» by allowing for the prevention of ovarian and breast cancer.
Another member of this jury, physicist Alberto Aparici, added that King was a pioneer in demonstrating the genetic closeness between humans and chimpanzees, a discovery that «truly tells us who we are,» and highlighted her political and social commitment, especially her development of the «grandparent index» to identify children stolen during the Argentine dictatorship.
Alongside them, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology graduate Erika Pastrana also served on the jury for these awards, and wanted to emphasize that King «not only deserves the Princess Award for her scientific aspects, but has also had a huge social impact in terms of human rights.»
«Doctor King is an exceptional scientist, from her early career she established paradigms and discoveries that have changed the field of genetics,» she commented.
FUENTE