Vesalius, VI, 2, 136-150, 20002. Rapport <strong>de</strong> <strong>la</strong> commission <strong>de</strong> vérification<strong>de</strong> <strong>la</strong> validité <strong>de</strong>s mandats<strong>de</strong>s délégués nationauxLa commission (Drs J.BIair et J.P. Tricot) neformule pas <strong>de</strong> remarque particulière.3. Nouveaux délégués nationauxAlgérie :Dr. Mahmoud ArouaArgentine : Pr. Alfredo Kohn - Loncarica(en remp<strong>la</strong>cement du Dr. T. Puga)Belgique :Mme Diana Gasparon(en remp<strong>la</strong>cement du Pr. T. Appelboom )Danemark :Pr. Mogens Nom(en rempacement <strong>de</strong> Mme Bra<strong>de</strong>)Maroc :Dr. Mustapha AkhmissPays Bas :Pr. Eddie HouwaartSerbie-Yougos<strong>la</strong>vie : Pr. Pavlovic Budimir(en remp<strong>la</strong>cement du Pr. Vera Gavrilovic)Uruguay :Dr. Chiancone4. Minute <strong>de</strong> silenceSuivie d'un éloge bilingue (français : Dr. Tricot ;ang<strong>la</strong>is : Dr. J. Cuie) du Pr. Jean-Charles Sournia,décédé à Paris, le 8 juin 2000, à l'âge <strong>de</strong> 82 ans.5. Discours du Prési<strong>de</strong>nt2. Report <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> commissionfor <strong>the</strong> vérification <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> validity<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> national <strong>de</strong>legates' mandatesThe commission (Drs J. B<strong>la</strong>ir and J.P. Tricot)verified <strong>the</strong> mandates.3. New national <strong>de</strong>legatesAlgeria :Argentina :Belgium :Denmark :Morocco :Ne<strong>the</strong>r<strong>la</strong>nds :Serbia-Yugos<strong>la</strong>viaUruguay :4. Minute <strong>of</strong> silenceDr Mahmoud ArouaPr Alfredo Kohn - Loncarica(rep<strong>la</strong>cing Dr T. Puga)Mme Diana Gasparon(rep<strong>la</strong>cing Pr T. Appelboom )Pr Mogens Nom(rep<strong>la</strong>cing Mrs Bra<strong>de</strong>)Dr Mustapha AkhmissPr Eddie Houwaart: Pr Pavlovic Budimir(rep<strong>la</strong>cing Pr Vera Gavrilovic)Dr ChianconeFollowed by bilingual orations (French: DrTricot, English: Drj. Cuie) in remembrance <strong>of</strong> Pr Jean Charles Sournia,who passed away in Paris on 8th June 2000, aged 82.5. Presi<strong>de</strong>ntial AddressWhat a joy it has been for me in particu<strong>la</strong>r and for all my countrymen and women to welcome <strong>the</strong> <strong>International</strong> <strong>Society</strong> for<strong>the</strong> History <strong>of</strong> Medicine to <strong>the</strong> United States for <strong>the</strong> first time. The hospitality affor<strong>de</strong>d by Dr. Burns and his Committee hascertainly matched or even excee<strong>de</strong>d <strong>the</strong> most extravagant c<strong>la</strong>ims extolling <strong>the</strong> charms and attractions <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Lone Star State.And Chester, for a native Californian to make that admission is truly headline news.Texas and Galveston have affor<strong>de</strong>d us <strong>the</strong> same warm colleagiate atmosphere for which <strong>the</strong>se <strong>International</strong> Congressesare renowned. When we are toge<strong>the</strong>r we capture <strong>the</strong> intellectual enthusiasm about which Ulrich von Hutten wrote in 1518,»It is a pleasure to live., studies blossom and <strong>the</strong> mind moves.» Just as von Hutten rejoiced in <strong>the</strong> Renaissance world <strong>of</strong>scho<strong>la</strong>rly en<strong>de</strong>avours, so I am greatly pleased and truly energized to bring my presi<strong>de</strong>ntial term <strong>of</strong> <strong>of</strong>fice to a close in thissplendid setting and in <strong>the</strong> company <strong>of</strong> so many <strong>of</strong> my long term friends from all over <strong>the</strong> world. Of course, like you, I misssome familiar faces, men and women who have ma<strong>de</strong> this organization <strong>the</strong> important forum for <strong>the</strong> exchange <strong>of</strong> i<strong>de</strong>as thatit has become. It is <strong>the</strong>ir i<strong>de</strong>as and <strong>the</strong>ir work which supplies our <strong>Society</strong> with its tradition, and tradition is an important resourceand asset, which can gui<strong>de</strong> us through changing times.For, as <strong>the</strong> old song reminds us, «<strong>the</strong> times <strong>the</strong>y are a changing.» But for those <strong>of</strong> us who have lived mostly in <strong>the</strong> 20th century,change should be standard operating procedure. More technological and scientific innovations were instituted in <strong>the</strong> 20thcentury than in all <strong>the</strong> centuries that precee<strong>de</strong>d it. Yet this pace seems to have accelerated even during <strong>the</strong> four years sinceI assumed <strong>the</strong> <strong>Society</strong>'s presi<strong>de</strong>ncy.Barely nine months ago, according to some, <strong>the</strong> millennium turned and <strong>de</strong>spite <strong>the</strong> most dire predictions, <strong>the</strong>re were noheavenly trumpets, no universal p<strong>la</strong>gues and no <strong>de</strong>vastating earthquakes, no worldwi<strong>de</strong> famines. Instead, we all enjoyedspectacu<strong>la</strong>r world wi<strong>de</strong> fireworks disp<strong>la</strong>ys. Who can forget <strong>the</strong> Sydney Opera House and La Tour Eiffel , or <strong>the</strong> cheering inTimes Square when <strong>the</strong> big g<strong>la</strong>ss ball dropped?. Most <strong>of</strong> us will probably agree, however, that as far as <strong>the</strong> apocalypticpredictions were concerned, <strong>the</strong> night <strong>of</strong> December 31, 1999 was a colossal anticlimax.Though I c<strong>la</strong>im no gift <strong>of</strong> prophecy and can in no way dispel that disappointment in certain quarters, still as I consi<strong>de</strong>r <strong>the</strong>past four years, and as <strong>the</strong> twenty-first century marches on, I believe it may be useful to consi<strong>de</strong>r three general aspects <strong>of</strong>137
Vesalius, VI, 2, 136-150, 2000change, which have implications not only for <strong>the</strong> world at <strong>la</strong>rge, but for our <strong>Society</strong> in particu<strong>la</strong>r. The Trinity <strong>of</strong> Change I shouldlike to consi<strong>de</strong>r here are <strong>the</strong> information and electronic revolution, <strong>the</strong> genome miracle and globalization. All <strong>the</strong>se have andwill continue to influence our world, and if <strong>the</strong>ir benefits can be used properly, will aid in streng<strong>the</strong>ning our purpose as wel<strong>la</strong>s that <strong>of</strong> our society. I have already allu<strong>de</strong>d to first <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>se, for what survivor <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> millenium celebrations can dispute thatwe live in <strong>the</strong> electronic and informational age.How marvelous it would have been to <strong>the</strong> foun<strong>de</strong>rs <strong>of</strong> our <strong>Society</strong> to have been able from <strong>the</strong>ir salons in Europe to watchas <strong>the</strong> world successively lighted <strong>the</strong> buildings <strong>of</strong> its most important cities. How amazed <strong>the</strong>y would have been tocommunicate with <strong>the</strong>ir fellow members instantaneously through <strong>the</strong> media avai<strong>la</strong>ble to us. In <strong>the</strong> past four years we havetransformed <strong>the</strong> communication among members within <strong>the</strong> <strong>Society</strong> and at <strong>the</strong> same time have greatly expan<strong>de</strong>d our outreachto those who are striving toward simi<strong>la</strong>r goals, but are not affiliated with us. Most <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> members <strong>of</strong> our ExecutiveCommittee are now in constant communication with each o<strong>the</strong>r through <strong>the</strong> medium <strong>of</strong> electronic mail. This innovation hasenabled us to un<strong>de</strong>rstand each o<strong>the</strong>r better and to organize meetings, and share opinions weekly if not daily. Although <strong>the</strong>spouses <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> various Council members may not agree, <strong>the</strong> benefit <strong>of</strong> immediate communication to <strong>the</strong> <strong>Society</strong>'sadministration is clearly manifest and needs no fur<strong>the</strong>r exp<strong>la</strong>nation. We can reach you almost anytime !!!! Among <strong>the</strong>electronic tools which are now avai<strong>la</strong>ble to our members as well as to all persons world-wi<strong>de</strong> who are interested in <strong>the</strong> History<strong>of</strong> Medicine, are our server and our web page. Owing to <strong>the</strong> innovation and constant work <strong>of</strong> our fine member, Pr<strong>of</strong>essor PlinioPrioreschi <strong>of</strong> Creighton University, <strong>the</strong> <strong>Society</strong> now sponsors a Listserv. This medium for exchanging information on topicsin <strong>the</strong> history <strong>of</strong> medicine has attracted <strong>the</strong> interest <strong>of</strong> many who previously had no knowledge <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> ISHM.For those <strong>of</strong> us who receive <strong>the</strong> wealth <strong>of</strong> information that Dr. Prioreschi mounts almost daily on his e-mail based on-lineforum, it has proved to be a stimu<strong>la</strong>ting resource for current news, and i<strong>de</strong>as. Ano<strong>the</strong>r innovation is our ISHM homepage on<strong>the</strong> World Wi<strong>de</strong> Web which Mr. Russell Johnson <strong>the</strong> Archivist for <strong>the</strong> History and Special Collections Division <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> UCLABiomedical Library has mounted and presently maintains. Now un<strong>de</strong>r <strong>the</strong> aegis <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Biblio<strong>the</strong>que Interuniversitaire <strong>de</strong>Me<strong>de</strong>cine we shall expand our website thanks to <strong>the</strong> good services <strong>of</strong> our Secretary General, Dr. A<strong>la</strong>in Lellouch. The efforts<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>se three exceptional men, and although only one is present here today, to <strong>the</strong> international presence <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Society</strong> havebeen outstanding, and although two are not present here today, I am sure you will want to join me in thanking <strong>the</strong>m for <strong>the</strong>irenormous contributions to <strong>the</strong> <strong>Society</strong>. Please note that <strong>the</strong> addresses to both <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>se Internet resources can be found inour Journal Vesalius as well on <strong>the</strong> preliminary announcement for our next Congress. Surely if <strong>the</strong> purpose <strong>of</strong> our <strong>Society</strong>is, as I believe, to reach out to all persons throughout <strong>the</strong> world who are interested in <strong>the</strong> study <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> history <strong>of</strong> medicine,<strong>the</strong>se electronic tools are a tremendous step toward our goal. We must never forget, however, <strong>the</strong> importance <strong>of</strong> humaninteraction which is integral to <strong>the</strong> learning process. This is <strong>the</strong> reason for Congresses such as this one, and why we mustcontinue to encourage and foster seminars and local meetings throughout <strong>the</strong> world. I shall return to this topic a little <strong>la</strong>ter,but for now let us consi<strong>de</strong>r what has been termed <strong>the</strong> Genome Miracle. The secret <strong>of</strong> life, <strong>the</strong> DNA sequence in <strong>the</strong> humanmolecule has been unraveled . Knowing <strong>the</strong> basic structure <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> human genome brings us into an entirely new era <strong>of</strong>medicine. In <strong>the</strong> <strong>la</strong>st <strong>de</strong>ca<strong>de</strong>, <strong>the</strong> genes for some major diseases such as muscu<strong>la</strong>r dystrophy and Huntington's chorea havebeen i<strong>de</strong>ntified. Within a few years, perhaps, a <strong>de</strong>tailed and complete human parts list may become avai<strong>la</strong>ble. Thus mo<strong>de</strong>rngenetics promises new cures and new <strong>the</strong>rapies, but <strong>the</strong>y also present new threats.For when <strong>the</strong> entire human genetic map is known, physicians in or<strong>de</strong>r to use it will have access to <strong>the</strong>ir patient's personal geneticco<strong>de</strong>s. But will it end <strong>the</strong>re ? Once it is possible for medical practitioners to make use <strong>of</strong> an individual's genetic pr<strong>of</strong>ile, will o<strong>the</strong>rssuch as employers and insurance companies also <strong>de</strong>mand equal access ? The core issue <strong>of</strong> «genetic privacy» will face us all.Thus genetic research has opened <strong>the</strong> door to a brave new world. Those <strong>of</strong> us who have spent our lives consi<strong>de</strong>ring <strong>the</strong> problemshealth care pr<strong>of</strong>essionals have faced in <strong>the</strong> past, have an important role in helping to find solutions to <strong>the</strong>se new quandaries.As <strong>the</strong> single international organization <strong>de</strong>voted to <strong>the</strong> study <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> history <strong>of</strong> medicine, <strong>the</strong> ISHM has vital role to p<strong>la</strong>y in thisprocess. The genie is out <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> bottle. No one can put him back in, but using <strong>the</strong> experiences <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> ages, we may help in findingproper solutions to <strong>the</strong> problems presented by his sud<strong>de</strong>n and overwhelming manifestation.The third phenomenon characteristic <strong>of</strong> our changing world is globalization, which some <strong>de</strong>fine as <strong>the</strong> lowering <strong>of</strong> acceptedstandards to a universal common <strong>de</strong>nominator. Our French colleagues perhaps are most aware <strong>of</strong> this trend and especiallyto <strong>the</strong> battle against certain aspects <strong>of</strong> it mounted in France. The symbol <strong>of</strong> this resistance is surely Jose Bove and hisadherents at Mil<strong>la</strong>u who inveigh against <strong>the</strong> use <strong>of</strong> genetically modified grain to feed hormone fattened beef as well as <strong>the</strong>ubiquity <strong>of</strong> McDonald burgers. Even <strong>the</strong> adventures <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> comic strip hero, Asterix have been interpreted as a struggle by<strong>the</strong> clever, invincible Gauls to <strong>de</strong>fend <strong>the</strong> hexagon against early Roman attempts at globalization.We <strong>of</strong>ten tend forget that some <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> films that our children and grandchildren adore, and that we find senselessly vulgar,cruel and violent had c<strong>la</strong>ssical antece<strong>de</strong>nts. Catullus, <strong>the</strong> Roman poet wrote in <strong>the</strong> first century B.C. « Oh this age, Howtasteless and ill-bred it is!». Anyone who has looked into his works would probably agree he was probably not comp<strong>la</strong>ining,but ra<strong>the</strong>r reveling in some <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> ru<strong>de</strong>st scatological material <strong>the</strong> Western world has ever known. His comment should makeus realize, however, though that globalization may spread certain problems fur<strong>the</strong>r and more quickly, it is not <strong>the</strong> root cause<strong>of</strong> much <strong>of</strong> what we <strong>de</strong>plore in our changing world.Mo<strong>de</strong>rn technology has ma<strong>de</strong> our world much smaller. Globalization is <strong>the</strong> natural and inevitable consequence <strong>of</strong> that fact,and properly used , can confer certain very important benefits to our discipline, and to our <strong>Society</strong>. The history <strong>of</strong> medicine138
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