The Resume

(December 28, 1944-August 7, 2019)
Born in Lenoir, North Carolina
Developed polymerase chain reaction (PCR), a technique that makes billions of copies of a gene, allowing scientists to study that gene in depth
Awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry (1993)
Wrote the autobiography 'Dancing Naked in the Minefield' (1998)

Why he might be annoying:

In his biography, he expresses bitterness towards other scientists who contributed to the development of PCR.
He said LSD was 'much more important' than any classes he took.
He disagrees with the scientific consensus on a wide range of issues.
He claimes that HIV does not cause AIDS, that CFCs are not repsonsible for ozone depletion, that astrology is legit, and that O.J. Simpson is innocent.
While the Dream Team was considering calling him as an expert witness, he asked for the phone number of one of O.J.'s ex-girlfriends.

Why he might not be annoying:

The patent for PCR was in his name but owned by his employer, Cetus Corporation. When they sold it for $300 million, they gave Mullis a $10,000 bonus.
PCR made gene therapy practical.
Commenting on the use of DNA to exonerate the wrongfully convicted (a technique made possible by PCR), he said, 'It always gives me a boost when some poor bastard that's been in there for 10 years is set free.'
Without PCR, 'Jurassic Park' would have needed an even more implausible premise.
He said, 'I don't care about making an ass of myself because most people know I am one.'

Credit: C. Fishel

Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

• 20th Century Scientists
• 21st Century Scientists
• C. Fishel's Profiles [Series 08]
• I Abused LSD
• I Attended Georgia Tech
• I Attended University of California, Berkeley
• I Died in 2019 (Ranked: 74)
• I Saw a UFO
• Inventors
• Look at Me, I'm Surfing
• Look at My Book Cover
• Nobel Prize for Chemistry (Ranked: 1993)
• Profiles 21751-22000 (Ranked: 21879)
• Scientists
• We Died on the Same Day (Ranked: 20190807)

Year In Review:

In 2023, Out of 1 Votes: 100% Annoying
In 2022, Out of 7 Votes: 57.14% Annoying
In 2021, Out of 5 Votes: 80.0% Annoying
In 2020, Out of 1 Votes: 100% Annoying
In 2019, Out of 5 Votes: 60.0% Annoying
In 2018, Out of 2 Votes: 100% Annoying
In 2017, Out of 13 Votes: 61.54% Annoying
In 2016, Out of 5 Votes: 60.0% Annoying
In 2015, Out of 15 Votes: 53.33% Annoying
In 2014, Out of 18 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
In 2013, Out of 21 Votes: 52.38% Annoying
In 2012, Out of 9 Votes: 66.67% Annoying
In 2011, Out of 7 Votes: 71.43% Annoying
In 2010, Out of 57 Votes: 66.67% Annoying
In 2009, Out of 17 Votes: 58.82% Annoying
In 2008, Out of 35 Votes: 77.14% Annoying
In 2007, Out of 60 Votes: 75.00% Annoying