Russian’s richest man, Alisher Usmanov, recently bought the Nobel Prize medal of American Biologist James Watson at a Christie’s auction, planning to return the award to its rightful owner. Usmanov paid approximately $4.1 million for the medal, which was awarded to Watson in 1962 for his contribution to the discovery of DNA structure. Usmanov exclaimed, “In my opinion, a situation in which an outstanding scientist sells a medal recognizing his achievements is unacceptable.” Usmanov added, “Dr. Watson’s work contributed to cancer research, the illness from which my father died; it is important for me that the money that I spent on this medal will go to supporting scientific research, and the medal will stay with the person who deserved it.”

The Christie’s auction was held in New York on the 4^th of December, with the auction house giving the medal a pre-auction estimate of $2.5 million to $3.5 million. James Watson, the recipient of the $4.1 million, plans to donate the proceeds of his medal to the University of Chicago’s Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory and Claire College, Cambridge. Watson was quoted as saying, “This gift means I can continue to do my part in keeping the academic world an environment where great ideas and decency prevail.” Watson added, “I also intend to direct funds to the Long Island Land Trust and other local charities I have long supported.”

Watson, who is now 86 years old, was awarded the medal together with Francis Crick. Watson has been ostracized from the scientific community ever since he made comments linking a correlation between race and intelligence in a 2007 newspaper interview.

Alisher Usmanov’s fortune has been estimated at $14.4 Billion by the Bloomberg Billionaire Index. Usmanov owns stakes in companies including Metalloinvest Holding Co., Russia’s largest iron ore producer, as well as the mobile phone operator OAO MegaFon. Usmanov has also invested in technology companies, including Facebook Inc. and Alibaba Group Holdings Ltd.

FSA Connection Questions

1. In the piece, the word “ostracized” means what?
2. The author seems to offer what main idea?
3. Select the best two sentences from the story that support the idea of Watson’s intention for the proceeds?
4. What is the connotation of the word “support” in the story?
5. In the article, the author uses quotes from which two people?