Part 2/11:
Dr. Mullis was born in South Carolina and pursued his education in chemistry and biochemistry, where he distinguished himself by developing PCR—a method that allows for the amplification of DNA. Mullis’s story of inspiration comes from a motorcycle ride along the Pacific Coast Highway; however, he humorously corrects the embellished accounts of his life that misrepresent the origins of his discovery.
Despite his groundbreaking contributions to molecular biology, Mullis has opted to distance himself from the biotechnology industry and academia, focusing instead on a diverse range of topics including cosmology and mysticism. He now devotes his time to lecturing worldwide, where he expresses views that diverge sharply from mainstream scientific thinking, particularly regarding AIDS and HIV.