Should the Nobel Prize be given to a Montreal-born scientist despite his death?

UPDATE: The Nobel Foundation says the Nobel Prize in medicine awarded to Montreal-born cell biologist Ralph Steinman will remain unchanged, even though he died three days before the announcement.

Original post:

The Nobel Assembly announced Monday that Montreal-born scientist Ralph Steinman was the co-winner of the 2011 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, unaware that Steinman died Friday.

Steinman was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer four years ago. He was able to extend his own life using the same "dendritic-cell based immunotherapy" whose design won him the award.

Steinman's daughter, Alexis Steinman, said the family was touched that her father's many years of hard work had been recognized by the Nobel committee.

But Nobel Prizes are not given posthumously. Committee member Goran Hansson said they would be looking through its regulations to determine if Steinman will be given the honour.

Should Ralph Steinman be given the Nobel Prize, despite his death three days ago? Why or why not? What should the Nobel committee consider in making its decision? Let us know what you think in the comments below.



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