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David
Evered
ETA Secretary general ( 1983-1989)
INTRODUCTION
There inevitably comes a time in the life and career of all of us
when we are forcibly reminded of our mortality and advancing age.
An invitation to speak on the history of an organisation is just
such an event - a reminder that one has become a part of history!
I am aware that my contribution comes at the end of a long but stimulating
day. I was asked to offer "Notes on ETA history" and this is what
I shall do. A former rector of the university of Newcastle once
remarked to me that all scientific papers could be divided into
two categories - those which were illuminated by slides and those
which were illuminated by thought. I have decided, perhaps ambitiously,
to aim for the latter, although in my academic days I relied heavily
on slides. I found the uncertainty as to which slide would be projected
next (this was pre-power point days) kept me, the lecturer, awake
and the accompanying darkness kept the audience asleep - an ideal
combination.
BACKGROUND TO 1965
It is interesting to take a moment to reflect on how much has changed
in the world since 1965. This was a key year in the development
of communications and the exploration of space. The first commercial
communications satellite Early Bird was launched and the first satellite
TV programme was broadcast to 9 countries attracting 300 million
viewers, although I regret that this was entitled "A Look at Olde
England" and it
represented my country as a sort of mediaeval theme park! The first
space walks took place, the first link-up of manned spacecraft was
achieved between Gemini VI and VII and there was an unmanned landing
on Venus. Space, however, struck back and a meteorite weighing 45
kg hit Britain, the largest of modern times. The first totally instrument-
controlled landing of an aircraft also took place in that year.
At a more mundane level, it was the year when that indispensable
adjunct to modern living was launched - the credit card.
ORIGINS
As we have heard from Christian Beckers today, sadly indirectly,
the European Thyroid Association was conceived in Rome 40 years
ago. The idea that such an organisation should be created had, however,
been germinating in the mind of a number of European scientists
in the field for some time and his account of the pre-history of
the ETA was as intriguing as the history. It was believed that it
was timely to provide a European forum for the exchange of ideas
and information - the life blood of scientific research. The model
which the founding fathers (and mothers) of the ETA had in mind
was the well-established ATA which had already passed its 40th anniversary.
In this the thinking of those who took the initiative paralleled
that of those who played a leading role in the creation of the European
Society of Clinical Investigation which was created at the same
time and which held its first annual meeting in the same year as
the ETA (1967).
The first formal steps towards the creation of the ETA took place
during the 5th International Thyroid Conference in Rome on 24th
May 1965, 40 years ago yesterday. Rome was a highly appropriate
location for the conception of this enterprise. This is the city
which gave birth to other great pan-European enterprises, ranging
from the Roman Empire (of which my country was once a colony) to
the European Economic Community. It was also appropriate that the
first steps towards the creation of the Association should take
place over lunch, in view of the important role which social activities,
particularly wining and dining, were to play in its meetings. Those
present included Donald Alexander, Mario Andreoli, Paul Bastenie,
Christian Beckers, Michel de Visscher, Jacques Dumont, André Ermans,
Paco Escobar del Rey, Raymond Greene, Dmitri Koutras, Axel Lamberg,
Serge Lissitzky, Raymond Michel, Jacques Nunez, Ros Pitt- Rivers,
Jean Roche, Nino Salvatore and others. This group included 5 future
Presidents of the ETA, the two Vice-Presidents (when that position
existed), the founding Secretary-Treasurer and two others who were
to be Chairmen of local organising committees. The conclusion of
those present, that a European Thyroid Association should be created,
was reached very speedily. As St Augustine said, "Roma est locuta,
causa finita est" - Rome has spoken, the case is made. Inevitably,
after 40 years, a number of those whose vision and commitment made
this enterprise possible are no longer with us but it is a matter
of pleasure that many are and are with us in this room today - notably
Mario Andreoli, Jacques Dumont and Dmitri Koutras.
It is right that we should pay particular tribute today to our Belgian
colleagues for the role which they played in the creation of the
ETA. Christian Beckers has given us an excellent account of the
origins of the Association but what he has not said through modesty
should be said and put on record. The position of Secretary-Treasurer
has always been a demanding one but the challenges facing the first
Secretary-Treasurer were specially onerous. We owe a particular
debt of gratitude to my friend Christian, whose energy, drive and
commitment were so important in establishing the thriving Association
which we have today and setting standards for its administration
which have served the Association well. He played a key role in
launching the Association, together with support from the other
Belgians present at that lunch, notably Jacques Dumont, who served
on the interim Executive Committee and on the first substantive
committee, and Michel de Visscher, who was the local President of
our first meeting in Louvain. Both were later to become Presidents.
Indeed Michel was the President when I first joined the Executive
Committee. Michel's wife Jacqueline was also a strong supporter
and generous benefactor of the Association and a charming and hospitable
friend to many of us. The warm message of support which she has
sent us today is characteristic of her generosity of spirit.
TRENDS IN THYROID RESEARCH
The development of thyroid research over the last 40 years has been
driven by both scientific and technical advances, and in some instances
research in our field has provided proof of concept in areas which
have illuminated other fields. One can identify a number of major
advances which have proved critical to the development of research
in thyroidology. Some of these were the products of research carried
out in the decade before the Association was established but they
led to an explosion of activity in both laboratory and clinical
research throughout Europe and also on the other side of the Atlantic.
In particular, one must highlight the ready availability of radioisotopes
of iodine which, in addition to their therapeutic value, made it
possible to carry out studies in iodine kinetics, iodination mechanisms
and thyroid hormone turnover rates. Christian has reminded us of
the value of these tools in thyroid research.
The second major advance of the fifties, which was to prove invaluable,
was the development of competitive binding assays, particularly
radioimmunoassay, following the pioneering work of Berson and Yalow
in the US and Ekins, Hunter and others in Europe. A further development
in the sixties and early seventies which was to prove critical to
many of us was the recognition that the applicability of these approaches
was not limited to the assay of proteins and polypeptides but that
highly sensitive and specific methods could also be developed for
the measurement of small molecular weight compounds of biological
importance.
The third advance in the fifties which originated in our own field
was the development of the concept of organ specific auto-immunity
through the pioneering work on Hashimoto's disease of Deborah Doniach
and Ivan Roitt in London and Witebsky and Rose in the United States.
Aldo Pinchera's reminiscences brought back memories of the difficulty
of the techniques involved in the LATS assay and also of the goldfish
assay for EPS - probably the most unreliable bioassay ever devised
by man. The frustrations created by this assay were only partially
relieved by the feeling of calm engendered by the sight of the goldfish
swimming serenely around the tanks in the laboratory.
More recently advances in molecular and cell biology and genetics
have led to further major advances in the field. It is to the credit
of many members of the Association that they have recognised the
value and applicability of these developments in fundamental science
and have exploited them to advance the field so successfully.
PEOPLE
I have commented on the key roles which our Belgian colleagues played
in the creation of the ETA. The scientific strength of the ETA and
the quality of its meetings has been a characteristic of the Association
since its very earliest days. This strength initially derived from
those who provided scientific inspiration from the outset - our
earliest Presidents: Jean Roche, Ros Pitt-Rivers (the scientific
mother of many of us), Jack Gross (one of Ros's collaborators and
pupils), Gabrielle Morreale and Nino Salvatore. This tradition has
been maintained by the subsequent Presidents of whom we have seven
present here today - all from Aldo Pinchera onwards. Scientific
leadership and inspiration was also provided in the first decade
by many others - Serge Lissitzky, Raymond Michel, Jacques Nunez,
Gilbert Vassart, Amirav Gordon to name but a few - and in clinical
research by Dmitri Koutras (who was also Vice-President of the Association)
Reg Hall, Axel Lamberg, Jim Crooks, Arne Melander, Donald Alexander
and again many others.
Isaac Newton commented modestly, "If I have seen further than others
that is because I have stood on the shoulders of giants". We too
have had the opportunity to stand on the shoulders of giants but
have been particularly privileged in also being able to achieve
the contortionist's act of simultaneously sitting next to the giants
on whose shoulders we have stood. Many of us in this room were inspired
and motivated by our predecessors but the strength of the ETA also
derives from the energy, commitment and contributions made by all
its members. The culture of the ETA and the openness of its meetings
have always made it possible for younger members to challenge, provoke
and often instruct their elders - and this has been a hallmark of
today's meeting. The inclusiveness of ETA meetings has been emphasised
recently by the account in the current newsletter from a young scientist
recounting her experiences at her first ETA Meeting in Istanbul.
Many have served on the Executive Committee - more than 80 now -
and I believe that the practice of nominating and electing members
who have not served previously has much to commend it. It increases
the numbers of those actively involved and ensures that a significant
proportion of the Committee is always comprised of younger members,
who value the experience. There has never been any dearth of candidates
for election. This input from younger colleagues has meant that
successive Executive Committees have always been willing to scrutinise
and evaluate the pattern of activities and they have been prepared
to experiment, retaining successful innovations and modifying or
discontinuing those which have been less productive. This has made
an important contribution to the vitality of the Association, even
if once or twice it has led to the re-invention of the wheel! The
active involvement of members spreads far wider than this with many
younger members being encouraged through the chairing sessions,
speaking at planned symposia and membership of subcommittees.
Finally, one must not forget the work of successive Secretary-Treasurers
(and I admit that I am prejudiced here). It is remarkable that all
who have served in this role are here today with, sadly, the exception
of our good friends Christian Beckers and Pierre Koenig who died
in 1989.
THE ROLE AND CULTURE OF THE ETA
It is perhaps proper to ask on an occasion such as this - what are
the roles and functions of the ETA? Or to broaden the question,
what is the role of scientific societies in the twenty-first century
when so many means of rapid communication are open to us? Their
roles, I would suggest, are first to provide a forum for the interchange
of ideas and information, but if the ETA were to limit its role
simply to being a debating chamber then its impact and significance
would be limited. Its secondary but no less important role is to
provide a mechanism for the better understanding thyroid patho-physiology
and its translation into more effective mechanisms for the prevention,
early detection and treatment of thyroid disease. Here I believe
the Association has a distinguished record. Work presented at meetings
has improved our knowledge of the importance and prevalence of thyroid
disease, and enhanced our understanding of its genetics, cellular
pathology, patho-physiology and its treatment. The ETA has, however,
gone further than this and has played a role in setting guidelines
for public health and clinical policy and practice, both at national
and European levels. Three areas which one might highlight are the
roles which members have played in the prevention of goitre, screening
for neonatal hypothyroidism and in assessing and reacting to the
consequences of the Chernobyl incident.
I have been a strong promoter of pan-European activities throughout
my professional life. It is all too easy to take a circumscribed
view and suggest that the multi-cultural, multi-lingual, and increasingly
multi-ethnic continent of Europe is characterised by its diversity.
Major linguistic, ethnic, cultural and, happily to a greatly diminished
extent, political differences separate and even divide our various
countries. This diversity adds richness to our continent. We should
not, however, forget that in the Middle Ages we were united by a
shared language (Latin) and shared common religion. These factors
were the basis of a common culture which gave birth to the universities
and provided a framework for scholarly communication and collaboration.
This framework survived the decline of the shared language and the
fragmentation of the common religion, but in science it has not
only survived, it has become progressively stronger.
Science was one of the threads which held the fabric of European
society together through the often turbulent times of the seventeenth
and eighteenth centuries. The European tours undertaken by wealthy
scholars at that time established personal contacts amongst learned
men throughout the continent and the tradition of a regular exchange
of ideas and information amongst those interested in the natural
sciences. These communications between individuals were reinforced
by the exchange of letters, the publication of periodicals and the
founding of learned societies. (There are now nearly 200 European
societies in the biomedical sciences).
This is a rich heritage which we share. We all recognise that science
is a corporate activity. Each of us is dependent upon others in
our own and in cognate disciplines and we know that intellectual
interchange is necessary for the development of conceptual thought.
Direct contact between scientists remains essential to promote that
free traffic in ideas and information which is necessary for the
advancement of science. Our meetings provide the opportunity for
us to talk together and thus identify common objectives, create
mutual trust and goodwill and, in many instances, establish research
collaborations which transcend national boundaries. We have all
also benefited considerably from the progressive reduction in the
cost of air travel and improved means of communication so that direct
contacts can be reinforced and travel is no longer the preserve
of the wealthy and privileged few. The role of associations such
as ours, however, remains an essential one since it provides the
framework for establishing these links in the first instance.
The success of the ETA in promoting productive contacts has extended
far beyond the boundaries of Europe and the countries bordering
the Mediterranean Sea. The ETA, through the quality of the science
at its meetings, has drawn in a loyal following of many of the most
active researchers from other Associations - most notably from our
elder cousin the American Thyroid Association. Many of these have
become corresponding members and we have come to regard them as
honorary Europeans. They include Lew Braverman, Gerry Burrow, Colum
Gorman, Les de Groot, Sid Ingbar, Reed Larsen, Max Mackenzie, Shigenobu
Ngataki, Jack Robbins, John Stanbury (the inspiration to many in
the ETA), Bob Volpé and many others.
There is an old joke that ETA stands for Extra-Thyroidal Activities.
The social programme is an important part of all ETA meetings. It
provides a basis for much informal interaction amongst participants
and this is as important as the formal sessions. Much good science
has flowed from the friendships which have been forged at the annual
meetings. These friendships have also enriched the personal lives
of many of us, and as I reflect on my varied career spanning many
fields and environments, it is those friendships which have proved
to be the most durable and those which I have valued most highly.
Meeting former colleagues here today has been accompanied by a sense
of homecoming. In my own house there existed for many years what
my children called the "thyroid bed" in which many of our friends
and colleagues from both sides of the Atlantic slept when visiting
both Newcastle and London!
These social interactions have been further enhanced by those whom
we traditionally and somewhat discourteously refer to as "accompanying
persons". There have been many wives and partners of members who
have been regular attendees at our meetings. They have provided
a positive and cohesive influence, adding distinction and refinement
to our meetings. One readily recalls with affection Jacqueline de
Visscher (who endowed the Harington Prize), Marisa Salvatore, Gladys
Koenig, Atie Henneman, Kiki Pinchera, Doris Studer and many others.
I was invited to offer "Notes on ETA history" and this I have done.
Much of what I have said has focused on the people who have made
the ETA what it is. These are names which have come readily to mind
and I have largely but not exclusively used this is an opportunity
to pay tribute to those who are not with us today. I am, however,
conscious that there are many others whom I could have mentioned,
and I hope that colleagues will forgive any serious oversights on
my part.
There is, finally, little point in reflecting on history if one
does not also look to the future. The two strengths of our Association
have always been the quality of its science and the environment
which it provides for productive interchanges to take place. These
interchanges are not limited to the annual meeting but they bear
fruit through scientific collaboration. The Association has, since
its inception, shown a remarkable capacity to reinvent itself and
thus it has retained the freshness and vigour which was the hallmark
of that meeting in Louvain in 1967 - which was so ably organised
by Christian Beckers. I am sure that it will continue to do so.
Thus 40 years have brought us from one of the major pillars of our
European civilisation (Rome) to the other (Athens) and our joining
together here today reminds us that the histories of Greece and
Rome were for many years intimately intertwined. I look forward
to observing the progress of the Association in future years and,
in the more immediate future, to maintaining the traditions of wining
and dining with colleagues in a convivial atmosphere as we shall
do later this evening.
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