Institute for Human Gene Therapy Director James M. Wilson's resignation from his leadership post closes a painful and difficult chapter in Penn's history, but it comes two years too late and does not go nearly far enough.
For two long years, the University, once a world leader in gene therapy, has languished without the ability to conduct human tests.
It is our sincere hope that with Wilson out of the way, IHGT can once again rise to prominence in this promising field. Without Wilson, IHGT has great potential.
But though IHGT is no longer under questionable leadership, its questionable leader remains at Penn. And that is a travesty and an insult to every member of the community.
His resignation seems nothing more than a thinly disguised attempt to get him out of the spotlight. But the fact remains that he is still on the faculty, still bringing shame to the University.
The litany of violations found by the Food and Drug Administration in a clinical trial that led to the death of a teenager should have been enough to fire him when they were revealed. But Penn has stubbornly, and despicably, stood by its embattled researcher.
His resignation is not enough. James M. Wilson has no place at this university. For his own honor and the honor of this proud institution, it is high time for him to move on.
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