In Memoriam: Gordon Moore, 1929-2023

The biodiversity science community remembers Gordon Moore’s legacy. 

Gordon Moore, an American entrepreneur and philanthropist has died at age 94.

“We are saddened to learn about the passing of Gordon Moore. His commitment to advancing science and conservation have had an enormous impact,” said Prof. Paul Hebert, Director of the Centre for Biodiversity Genomics at the University of Guelph.

Moore co-founded Intel Corporation and dedicated his later life to philanthropy. He and his wife, Betty created the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation (GBMF) to “tackle large, important issues” at a scale that could achieve significant and measurable impacts for positive change in the world, according to the GBMF website.

When Hebert first proposed DNA barcoding in 2004 as a method for discerning species, GBMF provided an initial $3 million to support the newly-established Centre for Biodiversity Genomics (CBG). The CBG is the world’s first centre for high-volume DNA barcoding and remains a leader in the development of DNA-based technologies and methods for biodiversity discovery and analysis. Since its initial injection of funding, the GBMF has supported several DNA barcoding-related technological innovation and conservation projects in the U.S. and Canada.

Moore received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, America’s highest civilian honour, in 2002.