Nobel Prize Corruption Alleged

Allegations have surfaced in the European media that a big pharmaceutical company influenced the awarding of this year's Nobel Prize in Medicine. Specifically, pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca sponsors two Nobel Prize promotional companies, Nobel Media and Nobel Web, which allegedly influenced the Nobel selection process.

Additionally, the Nobel Committee of Karolinska Institute, which elects candidates for the Nobel Prize, has two members who were found to be on the AstraZeneca payroll, one as a board member and the other as a consultant.

AstraZeneca is positioned to make million of dollars (euros) by the award going to scientist Harald zur Hausen, who discovered links between human papilloma viruses and cervical cancer. AstraZeneca holds the patents on the vaccines which fight the viruses.

With all the circumstances of apparent impropriety, Swedish Anti-Corruption Prosecutor Nils-Erik Schulz has formally launched a criminal investigation.

Realistically, awarding the prize to Harald zur Hausen is supportable but it's hard to dispute the contention that outside interests have way too much opportunity to influence the Nobel process.