Basil Hetzel
Encyclopedia
Basil Stuart Hetzel, AC
(born 13 June 1922) is an Australia
n medical researcher who has made a major contribution to combating iodine deficiency
, a major cause of goitre
and cretinism world wide.
in the 1940s. He was held a Fulbright Research Scholar
in the 1950s. He returned to Adelaide
and was employed as Reader and then Michell Professor of Medicine at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Adelaide
, University of Adelaide
before moving to Monash University
as the Foundation Professor of Social and Preventive Medicine
. He also held the position of first chief of the CSIRO Division of Human Nutrition, Chair of the University of South Australia
's Bob Hawke Prime Ministerial Centre, and University of South Australia
Chancellor 1992–1998,
with the Public Health Department of the then Territory, and his research concluded that the endemic goitre
and associated cretinism
was attributable to an iodine
deficient diet. He also demonstrated that dietary supplementation would entirely prevent these illnesses.
In the 1980s Hetzel, supported by the Australian Agency for International Development
, became an international advocate for iodine supplementation, which is now taken for granted with iodinated table salt. This was part of the stimulus for the creation of the International Council for Control of Iodine Deficiency Disorders association, which is funded by various government, non-government and community organisations including the United Nations
, UNICEF, the World Health Organization
, and the World Bank
. It is claimed that iodine supplementation has been achieved in 70% of households worldwide by 2000.
Order of Australia
The Order of Australia is an order of chivalry established on 14 February 1975 by Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, "for the purpose of according recognition to Australian citizens and other persons for achievement or for meritorious service"...
(born 13 June 1922) is an Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
n medical researcher who has made a major contribution to combating iodine deficiency
Iodine deficiency
Iodine is an essential trace element; the thyroid hormones thyroxine and triiodotyronine contain iodine. In areas where there is little iodine in the diet—typically remote inlandareas where no marine foods are eaten—iodine deficiency gives rise to...
, a major cause of goitre
Goitre
A goitre or goiter , is a swelling in the thyroid gland, which can lead to a swelling of the neck or larynx...
and cretinism world wide.
Academic career
Hetzel graduated in medicine from the University of AdelaideUniversity of Adelaide
The University of Adelaide is a public university located in Adelaide, South Australia. Established in 1874, it is the third oldest university in Australia...
in the 1940s. He was held a Fulbright Research Scholar
Fulbright Program
The Fulbright Program, including the Fulbright-Hays Program, is a program of competitive, merit-based grants for international educational exchange for students, scholars, teachers, professionals, scientists and artists, founded by United States Senator J. William Fulbright in 1946. Under the...
in the 1950s. He returned to Adelaide
Adelaide
Adelaide is the capital city of South Australia and the fifth-largest city in Australia. Adelaide has an estimated population of more than 1.2 million...
and was employed as Reader and then Michell Professor of Medicine at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Adelaide
Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Adelaide
The Queen Elizabeth Hospital is a 340 bed acute tertiary referral hospital in the western suburbs of Adelaide, South Australia.-History:...
, University of Adelaide
University of Adelaide
The University of Adelaide is a public university located in Adelaide, South Australia. Established in 1874, it is the third oldest university in Australia...
before moving to Monash University
Monash University
Monash University is a public university based in Melbourne, Victoria. It was founded in 1958 and is the second oldest university in the state. Monash is a member of Australia's Group of Eight and the ASAIHL....
as the Foundation Professor of Social and Preventive Medicine
Preventive medicine
Preventive medicine or preventive care refers to measures taken to prevent diseases, rather than curing them or treating their symptoms...
. He also held the position of first chief of the CSIRO Division of Human Nutrition, Chair of the University of South Australia
University of South Australia
The University of South Australia is a public university in the Australian state of South Australia. It was formed in 1991 with the merger of the South Australian Institute of Technology and Colleges of Advanced Education. It is the largest university in South Australia, with more than 36,000...
's Bob Hawke Prime Ministerial Centre, and University of South Australia
University of South Australia
The University of South Australia is a public university in the Australian state of South Australia. It was formed in 1991 with the merger of the South Australian Institute of Technology and Colleges of Advanced Education. It is the largest university in South Australia, with more than 36,000...
Chancellor 1992–1998,
Research
Hetzel worked in remote areas of Papua New GuineaPapua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea , officially the Independent State of Papua New Guinea, is a country in Oceania, occupying the eastern half of the island of New Guinea and numerous offshore islands...
with the Public Health Department of the then Territory, and his research concluded that the endemic goitre
Goitre
A goitre or goiter , is a swelling in the thyroid gland, which can lead to a swelling of the neck or larynx...
and associated cretinism
Cretinism
Cretinism is a condition of severely stunted physical and mental growth due to untreated congenital deficiency of thyroid hormones usually due to maternal hypothyroidism.-Etymology and use of cretin:...
was attributable to an iodine
Iodine
Iodine is a chemical element with the symbol I and atomic number 53. The name is pronounced , , or . The name is from the , meaning violet or purple, due to the color of elemental iodine vapor....
deficient diet. He also demonstrated that dietary supplementation would entirely prevent these illnesses.
In the 1980s Hetzel, supported by the Australian Agency for International Development
Australian Agency for International Development
AusAID is the Australian Government agency responsible for managing Australia's overseas aid program...
, became an international advocate for iodine supplementation, which is now taken for granted with iodinated table salt. This was part of the stimulus for the creation of the International Council for Control of Iodine Deficiency Disorders association, which is funded by various government, non-government and community organisations including the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
, UNICEF, the World Health Organization
World Health Organization
The World Health Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations that acts as a coordinating authority on international public health. Established on 7 April 1948, with headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, the agency inherited the mandate and resources of its predecessor, the Health...
, and the World Bank
World Bank
The World Bank is an international financial institution that provides loans to developing countries for capital programmes.The World Bank's official goal is the reduction of poverty...
. It is claimed that iodine supplementation has been achieved in 70% of households worldwide by 2000.
Non-medical career
Hetzel was Lieutenant Governor of South Australia from April 1992 - May 2000.Honours
- Pollin Prize for Pediatric ResearchPollin Prize for Pediatric ResearchThe Pollin Prize for Pediatric Research is an annual award given to physicians who contribute important advances to the field of pediatrics, and is the only existing international pediatric award. The prize was created in 2002 by Irene and Abe Pollin, and funded by the Linda and Kenneth Pollin...
, 2009 - Prince Mahidol Award from King Bhumibol AdulyadejBhumibol AdulyadejBhumibol Adulyadej is the current King of Thailand. He is known as Rama IX...
of ThailandThailandThailand , officially the Kingdom of Thailand , formerly known as Siam , is a country located at the centre of the Indochina peninsula and Southeast Asia. It is bordered to the north by Burma and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the...
. - National TrustNational Trust of AustraliaThe Australian Council of National Trusts is the peak body for community-based, non-government organisations committed to promoting and conserving Australia's indigenous, natural and historic heritage....
as a National Living TreasureAustralian Living TreasuresAustralian Living Treasures are people who have been nominated by the National Trust of Australia. The first list of 100 Living Treasures was published in 1997....
, 15 March 2004 - the Clinical Research Centre at the Queen Elizabeth HospitalQueen Elizabeth Hospital, AdelaideThe Queen Elizabeth Hospital is a 340 bed acute tertiary referral hospital in the western suburbs of Adelaide, South Australia.-History:...
was named in his honour the 'The Basil Hetzel Institute for Medical Research', 2001 - Doctor of the University, University of South AustraliaUniversity of South AustraliaThe University of South Australia is a public university in the Australian state of South Australia. It was formed in 1991 with the merger of the South Australian Institute of Technology and Colleges of Advanced Education. It is the largest university in South Australia, with more than 36,000...
, 1999 - RSLReturned and Services League of AustraliaThe Returned and Services League of Australia is a support organisation for men and women who have served or are serving in the Australian Defence Force ....
Anzac Peace Prize, 1997. - Companion of the Order of Australia, 1990
- Honorary Professor at the Tianjin Medical UniversityTianjin Medical UniversityTianjin Medical University was founded in 1951; was the first medical institution approved by the State Council of the People's Republic of China. Hsien-I Chu, a renowned endocrinologist, was the first president of the university...
, 1989