President Ma Ying-jeou met on the morning of September 18 with Dr. Ferid Murad, the winner of the 1998 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine . Besides praising Dr. Murad for his discoveries concerning the use of nitric oxide in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases , the president said that Dr. Murad's work has helped to underpin the development of biomedical technologies here. The president expressed his deepest respect and appreciation to Dr. Murad on behalf of the government and people of the ROC.
In remarks, the president noted that Dr. Murad was the winner of the 1998 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine. He has been invited several times over the years by Taiwan's National Science Council to deliver lectures here and has exhibited a longstanding interest in and provided assistance to Taiwan in the development of its biomedical technologies. President Ma stated that Dr. Murad has made significant contributions to the development of biotechnology, medicine, and physiology in this country.
The president stated that Dr. Murad in 1998 discovered the role played by nitric oxide in the dilation of blood vessels. This discovery constituted a major breakthrough in the understanding of how signaling takes place in the cardiovascular system. It was for this discovery that he was awarded the Nobel Prize. In addition, Dr. Murad's work has marked an important milestone in the history of human physiology, he added. Moreover, Dr. Murad has strived in recent years to carry out research on Chinese herbal medicines, including various clinical trials and practical applications. President Ma said he hopes that scientific proof can be found for the efficacy of Chinese herbal remedies, and that this work will lead to the development of new medicines and health products that will lead to better health for mankind.
President Ma emphasized that biotechnology is one of the most important industries in the 21st century. Taiwan, he said, has consequently invested considerable manpower and resources in this field. Dr. Murad has selected Central Taiwan’s China Medical University , which has both schools of Chinese and Western medicine, to carry out three research projects involving humans. These projects include the use of nitric oxide technology to promote the growth of hair follicles and improve the growth of hair; the use of nitric oxide technology to hasten the healing of wounds, which will help solve the problem of bedsores that plague bedridden patients; and the use of nitric oxide technology to increase blood flow, which could help treat patients with diabetes and resolve the problem of itching and numbing caused by the blockage of blood vessel endings. All of this research is being carried out to create greater wellbeing for people, the president said.
The president stated that Dr. Murad, as 76 years old, still works over 70 hours per week, and sets a good example for younger researchers. The president also expressed his hopes that this visit to Taiwan by Dr. Murad will help to further enhance Taiwan's research and technology in the field of biotechnology and boost the industry's development.
Dr. Murad, China Medical University Chairman Tsai Chang-hai (蔡長海) , Chief Executive Officer Chung Y. Hsu (許重義) , and director of the Murad laboratory Daniel Chen (陳振興) were accompanied to the Presidential Office by Deputy Minister of the National Science Council Y. Henry Sun (孫以瀚) to meet President Ma. Also attending the meeting was National Security Council Deputy Secretary-General Philip Y. M. Yang (楊永明) .