I've been reflecting on how Bill and Melinda Gates resemble a pair of monkeys. Earlier this month, the Lasker Awards were announced. The prestigious prize, known as the "American Nobel," is given annually to a few extraordinary biomedical scientists. A Lasker for public service is also usually awarded—this year to the Gateses.

Great move. They've given vast sums of money to medical research and have galvanized other billionaires into doing the same. They've targeted research about diseases that bring incalculable...