Mary-Claire King

MCK WH

Mary-Claire King (born February 27, 1946) is an American geneticist known for her groundbreaking research in human genetics. She is particularly renowned for her discovery of the BRCA1 gene, which is responsible for many cases of hereditary breast cancer and ovarian cancer. King is a professor at the University of Washington in the Department of Genome Sciences and the Department of Medicine.

Early Life and Education

Mary-Claire King was born in Evanston, Illinois. She attended Carleton College in Minnesota, where she initially studied mathematics before switching to genetics. She earned her B.A. in 1966. King then pursued her Ph.D. in genetics at the University of California, Berkeley, where she worked under the mentorship of Allan Wilson.

Career and Research

King's early work focused on the genetic differences between humans and chimpanzees. She demonstrated that the genetic similarity between the two species is over 99%, a finding that has had profound implications for the study of evolution and anthropology.

Discovery of BRCA1

In the 1990s, King and her team identified the BRCA1 gene, a major breakthrough in the understanding of hereditary breast cancer. This discovery has led to the development of genetic testing for breast cancer risk, allowing for early detection and preventive measures.

Human Rights Work

King has also applied her expertise in genetics to the field of human rights. She has worked with organizations such as the Grandmothers of the Plaza de Mayo in Argentina to identify children who were kidnapped and illegally adopted during the country's Dirty War. Her work has helped reunite many families and has been instrumental in the pursuit of justice for human rights abuses.

Awards and Honors

Mary-Claire King has received numerous awards for her contributions to science and human rights, including the Lasker Award, the National Medal of Science, and election to the National Academy of Sciences.

Personal Life

King is married and has one daughter. She continues to be an active researcher and advocate for the application of genetics to improve human health and social justice.

See Also

• Genetics
• BRCA1
• Breast cancer
• Human rights
• University of Washington