Franz Josef Kallmann
Encyclopedia
Franz Josef Kallmann MD (July 24, 1897 Neumarkt
, Silesia
– May 12, 1965 New York
), a German-born American psychiatrist
, was one of the pioneers in the study of the genetic basis of psychiatric disorders. He developed the use of twin studies
in the assessment of the relative roles of heredity and the environment in the pathogenesis
of psychiatric disease.
As a Jew, he fled Germany
in 1936 for the United States
. Paradoxically, he had been a student of Dr. Ernst Rüdin
, one of the architects of racial hygiene
policies in Nazi Germany. In a speech delivered in 1935, while still in Germany
, he advocated the examination of relatives of schizophrenia
patients with the aim to find and sterilize the "nonaffected carriers" of the supposed recessive gene responsible for the condition.
In 1944 he described a congenital endocrine condition (hypogonadotropic hypogonadism with anosmia
) that has come to be known as Kallmann's syndrome.
In 1948 he became one of the founders of the American Society of Human Genetics
.
Sroda Slaska
Środa Śląska is a town in Lower Silesian Voivodeship, in south-western Poland. It is the seat of Środa Śląska County, and of the smaller administrative district called Gmina Środa Śląska. Prior to 1945 it was in Germany...
, Silesia
Silesia
Silesia is a historical region of Central Europe located mostly in Poland, with smaller parts also in the Czech Republic, and Germany.Silesia is rich in mineral and natural resources, and includes several important industrial areas. Silesia's largest city and historical capital is Wrocław...
– May 12, 1965 New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
), a German-born American psychiatrist
Psychiatrist
A psychiatrist is a physician who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders. All psychiatrists are trained in diagnostic evaluation and in psychotherapy...
, was one of the pioneers in the study of the genetic basis of psychiatric disorders. He developed the use of twin studies
Twin study
Twin studies help disentangle the relative importance of environmental and genetic influences on individual traits and behaviors. Twin research is considered a key tool in behavioral genetics and related fields...
in the assessment of the relative roles of heredity and the environment in the pathogenesis
Pathogenesis
The pathogenesis of a disease is the mechanism by which the disease is caused. The term can also be used to describe the origin and development of the disease and whether it is acute, chronic or recurrent...
of psychiatric disease.
As a Jew, he fled Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
in 1936 for the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Paradoxically, he had been a student of Dr. Ernst Rüdin
Ernst Rüdin
Ernst Rüdin , was a Swiss psychiatrist, geneticist and eugenicist. Rüdin was born in St. Gallen, Switzerland...
, one of the architects of racial hygiene
Racial hygiene
Racial hygiene was a set of early twentieth century state sanctioned policies by which certain groups of individuals were allowed to procreate and others not, with the expressed purpose of promoting certain characteristics deemed to be particularly desirable...
policies in Nazi Germany. In a speech delivered in 1935, while still in Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, he advocated the examination of relatives of schizophrenia
Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia is a mental disorder characterized by a disintegration of thought processes and of emotional responsiveness. It most commonly manifests itself as auditory hallucinations, paranoid or bizarre delusions, or disorganized speech and thinking, and it is accompanied by significant social...
patients with the aim to find and sterilize the "nonaffected carriers" of the supposed recessive gene responsible for the condition.
In 1944 he described a congenital endocrine condition (hypogonadotropic hypogonadism with anosmia
Anosmia
Anosmia is a lack of functioning olfaction, or in other words, an inability to perceive odors. Anosmia may be either temporary or permanent. A related term, hyposmia, refers to a decreased ability to smell, while hyperosmia refers to an increased ability to smell. Some people may be anosmic for one...
) that has come to be known as Kallmann's syndrome.
In 1948 he became one of the founders of the American Society of Human Genetics
American Society of Human Genetics
The American Society of Human Genetics , founded in 1948, is the primary professional membership organization for specialists in human genetics worldwide. As of 2009, the organization had approximately 8,000 members...
.