James V. Neel
Encyclopedia
James Van Gundia Neel was an American geneticist
who played a key role in the development of human genetics as a field of research in the United States
. He made important contributions to the emergence of genetic epidemiology
and pursued an understanding of the influence of environment on gene
s. In his early work, he studied sickle-cell disease
and conducted research on the effects of radiation on survivors of the Hiroshima atomic bombing
. 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.
Of particular interest to Neel was an understanding of the human genome
in an evolutionary light, a concept he addressed in his fieldwork with cultural anthropologist
Napoleon Chagnon
among the Yanomamo in Brazil
and Venezuela
. His involvement in this fieldwork came under heavy scrutiny and criticism in the Darkness in El Dorado
controversy, a scandal in anthropology that broke in 2000 involving numerous allegations of unethical research that threatened serious damage to Neel's reputation, despite the fact that he had died months earlier. Ultimately, however, scholars and researchers exonerated Neel of all of the serious accusations.
Human genetics
Human genetics describes the study of inheritance as it occurs in human beings. Human genetics encompasses a variety of overlapping fields including: classical genetics, cytogenetics, molecular genetics, biochemical genetics, genomics, population genetics, developmental genetics, clinical genetics,...
who played a key role in the development of human genetics as a field of research in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. He made important contributions to the emergence of genetic epidemiology
Epidemiology
Epidemiology is the study of health-event, health-characteristic, or health-determinant patterns in a population. It is the cornerstone method of public health research, and helps inform policy decisions and evidence-based medicine by identifying risk factors for disease and targets for preventive...
and pursued an understanding of the influence of environment on gene
Gene
A gene is a molecular unit of heredity of a living organism. It is a name given to some stretches of DNA and RNA that code for a type of protein or for an RNA chain that has a function in the organism. Living beings depend on genes, as they specify all proteins and functional RNA chains...
s. In his early work, he studied sickle-cell disease
Sickle-cell disease
Sickle-cell disease , or sickle-cell anaemia or drepanocytosis, is an autosomal recessive genetic blood disorder with overdominance, characterized by red blood cells that assume an abnormal, rigid, sickle shape. Sickling decreases the cells' flexibility and results in a risk of various...
and conducted research on the effects of radiation on survivors of the Hiroshima atomic bombing
Atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki
During the final stages of World War II in 1945, the United States conducted two atomic bombings against the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in Japan, the first on August 6, 1945, and the second on August 9, 1945. These two events are the only use of nuclear weapons in war to date.For six months...
. In 1956, Neel established the University of Michigan
University of Michigan
The University of Michigan is a public research university located in Ann Arbor, Michigan in the United States. It is the state's oldest university and the flagship campus of the University of Michigan...
Department of Genetics, the first department of human genetics at a medical school
Medical school
A medical school is a tertiary educational institution—or part of such an institution—that teaches medicine. Degree programs offered at medical schools often include Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, Bachelor/Doctor of Medicine, Doctor of Philosophy, master's degree, or other post-secondary...
in the United States. He was elected a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences
American Academy of Arts and Sciences
The American Academy of Arts and Sciences is an independent policy research center that conducts multidisciplinary studies of complex and emerging problems. The Academy’s elected members are leaders in the academic disciplines, the arts, business, and public affairs.James Bowdoin, John Adams, and...
in 1971.
Of particular interest to Neel was an understanding of the human genome
Human genome
The human genome is the genome of Homo sapiens, which is stored on 23 chromosome pairs plus the small mitochondrial DNA. 22 of the 23 chromosomes are autosomal chromosome pairs, while the remaining pair is sex-determining...
in an evolutionary light, a concept he addressed in his fieldwork with cultural anthropologist
Anthropology
Anthropology is the study of humanity. It has origins in the humanities, the natural sciences, and the social sciences. The term "anthropology" is from the Greek anthrōpos , "man", understood to mean mankind or humanity, and -logia , "discourse" or "study", and was first used in 1501 by German...
Napoleon Chagnon
Napoleon Chagnon
Napoleon A. Chagnon is an American anthropologist and retired professor emeritus at the University of California, Santa Barbara. He was born in Port Austin, Michigan...
among the Yanomamo in Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
and Venezuela
Venezuela
Venezuela , officially called the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela , is a tropical country on the northern coast of South America. It borders Colombia to the west, Guyana to the east, and Brazil to the south...
. His involvement in this fieldwork came under heavy scrutiny and criticism in the Darkness in El Dorado
Darkness in El Dorado
Darkness in El Dorado is a book written by investigative journalist Patrick Tierney in 2000 that accuses geneticist James Neel and anthropologist Napoleon Chagnon of exacerbating a measles epidemic among the Yanomamo people and conducting human research without regard for their subjects' wellbeing...
controversy, a scandal in anthropology that broke in 2000 involving numerous allegations of unethical research that threatened serious damage to Neel's reputation, despite the fact that he had died months earlier. Ultimately, however, scholars and researchers exonerated Neel of all of the serious accusations.
See also
- Darkness in El DoradoDarkness in El DoradoDarkness in El Dorado is a book written by investigative journalist Patrick Tierney in 2000 that accuses geneticist James Neel and anthropologist Napoleon Chagnon of exacerbating a measles epidemic among the Yanomamo people and conducting human research without regard for their subjects' wellbeing...
- Patrick Tierney
- Yanomamo
- Thrifty gene hypothesisThrifty gene hypothesisThe thrifty gene hypothesis was proposed by geneticist James V. Neel in 1962 to resolve a fundamental problem. Diabetes is clearly a very harmful medical condition. Yet it is quite common, and it was already evident to Neel that it likely had a strong genetic basis...
External links
- James V. Neel, M.D., Ph.D. (March 22, 1915–January 31, 2000): Founder Effect
- James V. Neel, U-M Professor and Father of Modern Human Genetics, Died Feb. 1 At Age 84
- Proceedings of the American Philosophical Society Vol. 146, No. 1, Mar., 2002
- Key Participants: James V. Neel - It's in the Blood! A Documentary History of Linus Pauling, Hemoglobin, and Sickle Cell Anemia
- James V. Neel Is Dead at 84; Leading Genetics Researcher