Frank M. Berger: My Biography

Shridhar Sharma’s comment

I have read with great interest the Biography of Dr. Frank M. Berger, discoverer of Meprobamate. I think it should be titled an Autobiography rather than Biography.

Berger’s autobiography is fascinating and revealing. I met him in November 1972, just three days after his wife Bozena’s death. He was emotionally devastated but still very composed. He had invited me to his Department and in spite of his wife's untimely sudden death, he kept his appointments, showed me his Department and took me for lunch. He was not only a devoted scientist but a great human being. To support this, I am just quoting three parts from his biography:

1.      "All violence is wrong. It should be avoided and prevented. This goes particularly for wars. No problem has ever been solved by waging a war".

2.       "Scientific research has to be completely independent and free from establishment that have a vested interest in the undertaking. This independence is important in order to free the researchers from prejudice, bureaucratic restrictions and political pressure. This philosophy has been described as ‘Private efficiency serving the Public interest’."

3.      "One of the basic human rights is the right to receive the best medical care irrespective of one's wealth or station in life”.

Shridhar Sharma

May 5, 2016