Draft:James V. Neel

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Life copied from James V. Neel

Birth

James van Gundia Neel was born in Hamilton, Ohio on March 22, 1915.[1] Also known by 'Jim', he was born to Hiram Alexander Neel and Elizabeth Minette Van Gundia Neel. The father, Hiram, died of pneumonia when James was just ten years old. The house that Jim was born into was not wealthy, rather he was from a middle-class background that prevented him from being assured of a college education. However, he later obtained a scholarship to go to the College of Wooster to study Drosophila with the renowned genectisits, Warren Spencer.

Education

James attended a few different institutions in his life. He attended the

Ph.D. at the University of Rochester. At the College of Wooster, he worked on Drosophila[2]
with Warren Spencer.

In 1956, Neel established the University of Michigan Department of Genetics, the first department of human genetics at a medical school in the United States. He was elected a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 1971. He was also inducted into the U.S. Army[3] and was involved in many government, civil, and international organization works.

Marriage

During the 27th year of James's life, he was in pursuit of his medical degree at the University of Rochester. He happened to meet Priscilla Baxter and they later got married in 1943 on May 6th.[4] Priscilla was a graduate of Smith School of Architecture in Cambridge Massachusetts. She worked as a designer of mechanics at Stromberg-Carlson Company.[5] Their marriage resulted in traveling, spending time with relatives, enjoying arts, building relationships at work with colleagues, and spending time with their three children, whom are: Frances, James Junior, and Alexander.

Death

Neel died in Ann Arbor Michigan where he was a part of the University of Michigan. He died at the age of 84 on February 1, 2000. His cause of death was cancer, and was at home at his time of passing. Shortly after his death, an attempt to discredit him and his work was made. His friends and colleagues however made their best attempts to clear their passed friends name to replenish his honor.

Controversy

Theories and Allegations

Neel first found the inheritance of sickle cell anemia through its genetic basis. This was the first step to learning all of what we know genetically about sickle cell disease. He found that the sickle cell trait itself was heterozygous and the disease was expressed when the gene was recessive homozygous. This was very difficult to figure out at the time with the current knowledge and while he did not find the relationship between malaria and sickle cell himself his work did provide the foundation for it being discovered.

Neel developed the "

type 2 diabetes mellitus
. This theory was later discredited by research conducted by Neel himself.


Darkness in El Dorado[6]

A journalist by the name of Patrick Tierny published information that discredited James in relation to his work in the Amazon with the Yanomami population. He allegated many of things which among them were that he studied the genome of the Yanomami to compare with mutations among the survivors in the atomic bombing in Japan. To that, it was said that unethical practices were performed with the Yanomami population and that radioactive iodine injections were used to find leadership genes from the headmen of Yanomami. These allegations were later to be found without evidence from various examiners. [7]

Neel was especially focused on comprehending the

Xavante in Brazil and Venezuela. His involvement in this fieldwork came under scrutiny in the Darkness in El Dorado controversy, a scandal in anthropology that broke in 2000 after his death involving numerous allegations of unethical research that threatened serious damage to Neel's reputation. The accusation is that Neel deliberately injected South American natives with virulent measles vaccine to spark off an epidemic that killed hundreds and probably thousands. However, these claims against him were never substantiated with any evidence, and it was found later that the measles outbreak predated his arrival. Unfortunately, the media saw this as an opportunity for a big story and ran with it giving James's name a darkness associated with it. Even the original maker of the measles vaccine Dr. Samuel L. Katz tried to shoot down the allegations claiming that they were in fact not true but was unsuccessful in saving his name before the media tarnished it.[8]
The majority of the allegations in Darkness in El Dorado have since been found to have been fabricated by the author.

Among majority allegations against James, there is a memo to the Neel family that was made in hopes to clear James of all allegations. This can be found here: https://dwhume.com/darkness-in-el-dorado-controversy/0167.htm

Another link to how James conducted scientific collaboration in Latin America: https://www.scielo.br/j/gmb/a/MFFkDDXQ9B45Dd3pP4hjRtn/?lang=en

Link to picture of James with Yanomamo men in South America: https://diglib.amphilsoc.org/islandora/object/graphics%3A1624

Organizations copied from James V. Neel

James V. Neel was concerned with nuclear fallout and radiation damage, participating in many prominent organizations to broaden his knowledge and address crucial issues. He was active in the Atomic Bomb Casualty Commission (ABCC) and the Radiation Effects Research Foundation (RERF). He testified several times before committees and sub-committees of the United States Congress as an expert witness regarding the long-term effects of radiation on human populations.

He was also involved with the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, the

Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO), and the World Health Organization
(WHO).

In 1947, Neel was instrumental in the founding of the Atomic Bomb Casualty Commission (ABCC), which subsequently evolved into the Radiation Effects Research Foundation (RERF). The combined American-Japanese research group ABCC/RERF was entrusted with examining the long-term health impacts of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

Neel's work concentrated on examining the genetic effects of radiation exposure on atomic bomb survivors and their progeny. He carried out a great deal of research on the impact of radiation on DNA, specifically how it affects chromosome shape and mutations. Through his studies, radiation protection recommendations were developed and the basis for understanding the genetic dangers linked with ionizing radiation exposure was laid.

Editorial Boards of Human Genetic and Biological Journals

Blood, Advisory Board from 1950-1961.

Perspectives in Biology and Medicine from 1956 to present.

Life Sciences from 1963-1970.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences from 1967-1972.

Behavioral Genetics, Associate Editor from 1963-1970.

Mutation Research from 1964-1975.

Journal of Molecular Evolution from 1969-1980.

Journal of Human Evolution from 1970-1982.

Clinical Genetics from 1970 to present.

Genetic Epidemiology from 1984 to present.

Gene Geography from 1984 to present.

Blood Cells, Molecules, and Diseases from 1994 to present.

Among over 400 other articles or books he has written, co-authored, or edited.

Memberships

Professional

Phi Beta Kappa

Sigma Xi

University of Michigan Chapter Council (1953-1955), President (1971-1973)

Alpha Omega Alpha

Genetics Society of America

American Society of Human Genetics, Board of Directions (1968-1970)

American Federation for Clinical Research

American Society of Naturalists

American Genetic Association

Japan Society of Human Genetics

Brazilian Society of Genetics

Brazilian Academy of Sciences

International Genetic Epidemiology Society, President (1991-1993)

Learned Societies

American College of Physicians 1960

Laureate Award 1987

Association of American Physicians 1962

National Academy of Science 1963, Council 1970-1973

National Philosophical Society 1965

American Academy of Arts and Sciences 1972

National Academy of Sciences 1972

Royal Society of Medicine 1992

American College of Medical Genetics, Honorary Fellow 1993

Awards copied from James V. Neel

Despite his unwavering commitment to professionalism and lack of desire for personal attention, James V. Neel managed to achieve rapid scientific recognition and eventually acquired the majority of significant academic accolades available to biomedical scientists. These included membership in the National Academy of Sciences since 1963, as well as awards such as the Lasker and Allen Medals and the National Medal of Science. He provided a great deal of national and international advising service over the years.

Specific Awards

1960 Lasker Award American Public Health Association

Allan Award of the American Society of Human Genetics

1975 National Medal of Science

1984 Michigan Scientist of the year

1991 George and Marie Andros Lecture of the University of Chicago School of Medicine

1995 James D. Bruce Award of the American College of Physicians

Among others.

Recognition

Annual James V. Neel Lectureship

Many scientists across the nation and world recognize Dr. Neel's work as a pioneer in human genetics. The University of Michigan holds an annual lecture in honor of him. This year the university invited Eric Green M.D. Ph.D to deliver a speech about "Creating the Fourth Chapter of Human Genomics". Within this lectureship there is an opportunity for individual to show case their work within a poster presentation and reception section of this event which is held directly after the lecture.

Lecturers over the years:

  • 2023 Eric Green: National Human Genome Research Institute Director, M.D. Ph.D from Washington University in 1987
  • 2022 Hopi E. Hoekstra: Ph.D from Washington University in 2000, Currently a Harvard University Professor of Departments of Organismic & Evolutionary Biology and Molecular & Cellular Biology
  • 2021 Stuart H. Orkin: M.D. from Harvard Medical School, Distinguished Pediatrics Professor at Harvard Medical School
  • 2020 Canceled
  • 2019 James Lupski
  • 2018 Uta Francke
  • 2017 Neil J. Risch
  • 2016 Andrew G. Clark
  • 2015 Haig H. Kazazian, Jr.
  • 2014 Richard P. Lifton
  • 2013 Huntington F. Willard
  • 2012 Mary-Claire King
  • 2011 David Page
  • 2010 David Botstein
  • 2009 Aravinda Chakravarti
  • 2008 Janet Rowley
  • 2007 Joseph Goldstein
  • 2006 Newton Morton
  • 2005 Charles Scriver
  • 2004 Arno Motulsky
  • 2003 James Crow
  • 2002 L.L. Cavalli-Sforza
  • 2001 Jack Schull

You can find the lectures to watch here on the universities website: https://medicine.umich.edu/dept/human-genetics/tags/lectures

Works copied from James V. Neel

James V. Neel contributed significantly to the development of modern human genetics throughout his career.

His notable works include:

  • 1949: "The Inheritance of Sickle Cell Anemia"- Published in Science 110: 64-66, this paper explored how a single gene mutation is responsible for the inheritance of sickle cell anemia. Neel's research and analysis supported the pattern of a mutation occurrence in the hemoglobin subunit beta (HHB gene) which is responsible for providing instructions for the creation of the protein beta-globin.[9] When this mutation occurs, red blood cells transform into a rigid, "sickle" shape that blocks blood vessels and leads to restriction of blood flow to tissue throughout the body. Neel also discussed how populations with higher rates of malaria correspond with higher rates of sickle cell disease.[10]
  • 1967: "The Web of History and the Web of Life: Atomic Bombs, Inbreeding and Japanese Genes"- Published in the Michigan Quarterly Review 6:202-209, Neel discussed the aftermath of atomic bombs in Hiroshima and Nagasaki.[11]He examined the genetic repercussions of radiation exposure on the Japanese population, highlighting the induced genetic mutations due to the atomic bombs. He also delved into how the genetic health of human populations was affected by cultural and societal influences. Neel's research interests aligned with his leadership role in the Atomic Bomb Casualty Commission (ABCC). [12]
  • 1994: Physician to the Gene Pool: Genetic Lessons and Other Stories is a book written by James V. Neel, which was published by John Wiley and Sons in New York. In this work, Neel provided many insights into the world of human genetics through lessons and narratives. A collection of stories were intended to both amuse and educate readers about concepts and discoveries ranging from topics of inheritance patterns to consequences of genetic mutations.[13]

Overall Impact

James V. Neel was a pivotal figure in the development of human genetics due to his research pursuits, leadership roles, and enduring vestige within the scientific community. From his investigations into the genetic effects of radiation exposure after the atomic bombs in Hiroshima and Nagasaki to his leadership in founding the Department of Genetics at the University of Michigan, Neel has had an undeniable influence in shaping genetic research. His work with Sickle Cell Anemia provided insights into the genetic basis of the disease and its prevalence in populations exposed to malaria.[14]

His prominence was further established by his membership to the National Academy of Sciences and the honor of multiple prestigious awards to recognize his groundbreaking contributions. Beyond his scientific achievements, Neel was an advocate for public health and stressed the importance of looking at genetic differences from an evolutionary angle. He made it known that we as a society should look at the bigger picture referencing genetic changes and genetic research should consider both biology and evolution.[14]

Through his legacy, Neel continues to shape the trajectory of genetic research in humans and inspires future geneticists.

References

  1. PMID 10712193
    .
  2. PMID 11074485
    .
  3. PMID 10712193
    .
  4. ^ "Papers of James V. Neel, M.D., Ph.D. Manuscript Collection No. 89" (PDF). Houson Academy of Medicine - Texas.
  5. ^ "Neel, James Van Gundia".
  6. ^ TOBIN, JAMES. "THE FAKE NEWS ABOUT JAMES NEEL".
  7. PMID 11715114
    .
  8. ^ "James Neel, father of modern human genetics, died Feb. 1". University of Michigan News. February 1, 2000. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
  9. PMID 38270798
    .
  10. PMID 17774955
    .
  11. PMID 9576899
    .
  12. PMID 12644178
    .
  13. ISSN 0090-3019
    .
  14. ^
    PMID 10712193
    .

External links

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