Carolyn Abraham
August 1, 2016
TORONTO — The rejection seemed like a bad joke.
Developmental biologist John Cobb had applied for a Canadian government grant to research a gene that causes malformed limbs. The anonymous reviewer looking over his proposal acknowledged the gene contributes to serious growth disorders, but added: “Be that as it may, short stature is a cosmetic problem, not a disease.”
“I laughed,” Cobb said. “It was a sad laugh.”
Developmental biologist John Cobb had applied for a Canadian government grant to research a gene that causes malformed limbs. The anonymous reviewer looking over his proposal acknowledged the gene contributes to serious growth disorders, but added: “Be that as it may, short stature is a cosmetic problem, not a disease.”
“I laughed,” Cobb said. “It was a sad laugh.”
