The Inamori Foundation selects three Kyoto Prize (www.kyotoprize.org) laureates annually for significant contributions to the scientific, cultural and spiritual development of mankind in the fields of advanced technology, basic sciences, arts and philosophy.
Knudson will receive the basic sciences prize for his role in establishing the theory of tumor suppressor genes, which opened a new horizon in modern cancer genetics, and made a pivotal contribution to major subsequent research developments in understanding human cancer.
"Today, we are rushing ahead with incredible scientific and technological achievements, while inquiry into our spiritual nature lags deplorably," said Dr. Kazuo Inamori, founder and president of the Inamori Foundation. "It is my hope that the Kyoto Prize will encourage balanced development of both our scientific and our spiritual sides, and hence provide impetus toward the structuring of new philosophical paradigms."
This year's other Kyoto Prize laureates will be: