Our ancient ancestor

I propose the introduction of a new field of study called the Molecular Humanities. It is about exploring the meaning of discovering and describing molecules and their structures. It is affects every field of existing knowledge, cutting through the boundaries of fields of enquiry, as we know it.

Most people know what it is I am talking about in the field of medicine and health. Discovering molecular structures like dysfunctional DNA leads to much better understanding – and potentially, diagnosis and treatment of – disease. The UCT Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine are for example about that very connection.

Understanding molecular structure is also becoming increasing useful for understanding human mental states and therefore mental disease. The balance of chemicals in the brain that provide for stability and instability has a repertoire shaped – even determined – by large protein molecules.

Brighton Sewer circa 1874

The single most important contribution to improving aspects of public health in most cities of the southern hemisphere is to install proper sewage and sanitation systems. With sewers human waste is removed and stagnant water is drained. And with that go the diarrhoea, malaria and all of the other bacterial and parasitic diseases that compromise human lives.

We are not talking of science big or little here, for there are no science problems to be solved in these instances. We are not even talking about high-level engineering issues either, for these too pose no to little difficulty. We are talking about tried and tested pedestrian engineering that simply has to be tweaked to work in local circumstances.

Dr Wilmot James and Prof Michael Cherry

Professor Michael Cherry delivered the keynote Darwin Lecture on Monday, 6 August, to a large crowd of academics and interested members of the general public.

"It is essential for us to ensure that science is made more approachable for the layman," said Professor Raj Ramesar, head of the UCT Division of Human Genetics. Professor Cherry spoke engagingly on the nature of secondary sexual characteristics as they effect evolutionary biology.

Darwin disliked Robert Fitzroy, the Captain of the HMS Beagle. The feeling was mutual. Without that candid belligerence it may be that Darwin may never spent as much time on land, running away from the ship during their five year voyage. And without his diligent collections he may never have spotted his evolutionary theory.

From ostrich plumage to sun-bird tail length to beach captaining elephant seals; Professor Cherry took us on a journey of discovery.

His full presentation is available here.