James Wilson (scientist)

James M. Wilson is an American geneticist and medical researcher, known for his work on gene therapy, where he was regarded as one of the field's most prominent researchers until ethical concerns arose around the death of a patient in one of his trials.

Wilson gained his BA in chemistry at Albion College in 1977, and his MD and PhD at the University of Michigan in 1984. As of 2016, he works at the Penn Cardiovascular Institute of the University of Pennsylvania. His research interests include genetic disorders of lipid metabolism, and gene therapy for dyslipidemias, coronary artery disease and congestive heart failure.

In 1999, a patient in a clinical trial led by Wilson, Jesse Gelsinger, died after receiving a gene therapy treatment. Further investigation showed improper consent forms and that Wilson had significant financial stakes in the success of the trial.