Philip Handler
Encyclopedia
Philip Handler was an American nutritionist
, and biochemist. He was President of the United States National Academy of Sciences
for two terms from 1969 to 1981. He was also a recipient of the National Medal of Science
.
in 1936 and his Ph.D. from University of Illinois
in 1939. He taught at Duke University
where he was named the youngest chairman of the Department of Biochemistry at age 35. Handler remained at Duke until 1969 at which point he accepted the position of president of the National Academy of Sciences
.
As a biochemist, he published more than 200 papers on nutrition and metabolic activity. He was elected to the National Academy of Sciences
in 1964. He received the National Medal of Science
in 1981 for, "his outstanding contribution to biochemical research, resulting in significant contributions to mankind, including research which led to a clearer understanding of pellagra
" (Bioscience Article).
His research led to the first understanding of nicotinic acid deficiency, and the discovery of the tryptophan-nicotinic acid relationship. Handler also provided an understanding of the oxidation of sarcosine
to glycine
and formaldehyde
which led to the importance of single carbon atoms in metabolism. His final work showed that methionine
is the only methyl donor in mammalian metabolism, and that there is no pool of methyl groups.
As President of the National Academy Of Sciences, Handler was instrumental in opening a dialog on US-Soviet cooperation in outer space with his counterpart at the Soviet Academy of Sciences in 1970. These discussions would ultimately lead to a joint US-Soviet spaceflight in 1975, the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project
. Handler was also responsible for perhaps one of the most notable statues relating to science in the United States – that of Albert Einstein
at the grounds of the National Academy of Sciences in Washington, DC.
Handler was also involved in the creation of the US Federal Department of Health, Education and Welfare (HEW), which is the predecessor to the US Dept. of Health and Human Services. Within HEW, Handler had a significant impact on the creation of a multitude of centers within the National Institutes of Health
, spurred in part by a growing interest in the biosciences, his position on various governmental committees, and the book Biology & The Future of Man which read like a blueprint for a generation of work in the life sciences.
Rather abruptly, Handler died in Boston on December 29, 1981, of pneumonia, after prolonged suffering from lymphoma, just short of six months after leaving office at the Academy. He never returned to Duke University as he had planned nor was he to leave the hospital after his admission for a thorough checkup in August 1981. He chose that his ashes be placed alongside those of his colleagues at Duke University Medical Center, where he started his academic research career.
Non-Government
"I am committed to defense of the human rights of all persons, but those of scientists in particular. Not so much because humanity may be denied the fruits of their science, but because they are precious as human beings; because abrogation of their rights is injurious to all mankind; because, as thoughtful intellectuals, scientists not infrequently become involved in the defense of the human rights of others..." – "Science in a Free Society" The Phi Beta Kappa Bicentennial Lecture. College of William and Mary. December 6, 1976
"Creative scientific research is one of the very purposes of our society akin to imaginative scholarship in the humanities and innovation in the arts. Surely, no other course available to this civilization is as hopeful as the continuing subtle interplay of science and developing technology." From "The University in a World in Transition." The Convocation Address at the One Hundred and Fiftieth Anniversary of the University of Virginia. October 21, 1969.
"Do not fear change – help to guide it. Every technology since fire and the wheel confronted humanity simultaneously with the prospect of great benefit – and of considerable hazard, with potential for good and for evil." From "Science in a Free Society" A Commencement Ceremony Address. Southwestern at Memphis. May 30, 1977.
Nutritionist
A nutritionist is a person who advises on matters of food and nutrition impacts on health. Different professional terms are used in different countries, employment settings and contexts — some examples include: nutrition scientist, public health nutritionist, dietitian-nutritionist, clinical...
, and biochemist. He was President of the United States National Academy of Sciences
United States National Academy of Sciences
The National Academy of Sciences is a corporation in the United States whose members serve pro bono as "advisers to the nation on science, engineering, and medicine." As a national academy, new members of the organization are elected annually by current members, based on their distinguished and...
for two terms from 1969 to 1981. He was also a recipient of the National Medal of Science
National Medal of Science
The National Medal of Science is an honor bestowed by the President of the United States to individuals in science and engineering who have made important contributions to the advancement of knowledge in the fields of behavioral and social sciences, biology, chemistry, engineering, mathematics and...
.
Biography
Handler grew up in a Jewish family in New York City. He received his B.S. degree from the City College of New YorkCity College of New York
The City College of the City University of New York is a senior college of the City University of New York , in New York City. It is also the oldest of the City University's twenty-three institutions of higher learning...
in 1936 and his Ph.D. from University of Illinois
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
The University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign is a large public research-intensive university in the state of Illinois, United States. It is the flagship campus of the University of Illinois system...
in 1939. He taught at Duke University
Duke University
Duke University is a private research university located in Durham, North Carolina, United States. Founded by Methodists and Quakers in the present day town of Trinity in 1838, the school moved to Durham in 1892. In 1924, tobacco industrialist James B...
where he was named the youngest chairman of the Department of Biochemistry at age 35. Handler remained at Duke until 1969 at which point he accepted the position of president of the National Academy of Sciences
United States National Academy of Sciences
The National Academy of Sciences is a corporation in the United States whose members serve pro bono as "advisers to the nation on science, engineering, and medicine." As a national academy, new members of the organization are elected annually by current members, based on their distinguished and...
.
As a biochemist, he published more than 200 papers on nutrition and metabolic activity. He was elected to the National Academy of Sciences
United States National Academy of Sciences
The National Academy of Sciences is a corporation in the United States whose members serve pro bono as "advisers to the nation on science, engineering, and medicine." As a national academy, new members of the organization are elected annually by current members, based on their distinguished and...
in 1964. He received the National Medal of Science
National Medal of Science
The National Medal of Science is an honor bestowed by the President of the United States to individuals in science and engineering who have made important contributions to the advancement of knowledge in the fields of behavioral and social sciences, biology, chemistry, engineering, mathematics and...
in 1981 for, "his outstanding contribution to biochemical research, resulting in significant contributions to mankind, including research which led to a clearer understanding of pellagra
Pellagra
Pellagra is a vitamin deficiency disease most commonly caused by a chronic lack of niacin in the diet. It can be caused by decreased intake of niacin or tryptophan, and possibly by excessive intake of leucine. It may also result from alterations in protein metabolism in disorders such as carcinoid...
" (Bioscience Article).
His research led to the first understanding of nicotinic acid deficiency, and the discovery of the tryptophan-nicotinic acid relationship. Handler also provided an understanding of the oxidation of sarcosine
Sarcosine
Sarcosine, also known as N-methylglycine, is an intermediate and byproduct in glycine synthesis and degradation. Sarcosine is metabolized to glycine by the enzyme sarcosine dehydrogenase, while glycine-N-methyl transferase generates sarcosine from glycine. Sarcosine is a natural amino acid found in...
to glycine
Glycine
Glycine is an organic compound with the formula NH2CH2COOH. Having a hydrogen substituent as its 'side chain', glycine is the smallest of the 20 amino acids commonly found in proteins. Its codons are GGU, GGC, GGA, GGG cf. the genetic code.Glycine is a colourless, sweet-tasting crystalline solid...
and formaldehyde
Formaldehyde
Formaldehyde is an organic compound with the formula CH2O. It is the simplest aldehyde, hence its systematic name methanal.Formaldehyde is a colorless gas with a characteristic pungent odor. It is an important precursor to many other chemical compounds, especially for polymers...
which led to the importance of single carbon atoms in metabolism. His final work showed that methionine
Methionine
Methionine is an α-amino acid with the chemical formula HO2CCHCH2CH2SCH3. This essential amino acid is classified as nonpolar. This amino-acid is coded by the codon AUG, also known as the initiation codon, since it indicates mRNA's coding region where translation into protein...
is the only methyl donor in mammalian metabolism, and that there is no pool of methyl groups.
As President of the National Academy Of Sciences, Handler was instrumental in opening a dialog on US-Soviet cooperation in outer space with his counterpart at the Soviet Academy of Sciences in 1970. These discussions would ultimately lead to a joint US-Soviet spaceflight in 1975, the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project
Apollo-Soyuz Test Project
-Backup crew:-Crew notes:Jack Swigert had originally been assigned as the command module pilot for the ASTP prime crew, but prior to the official announcement he was removed as punishment for his involvement in the Apollo 15 postage stamp scandal.-Soyuz crew:...
. Handler was also responsible for perhaps one of the most notable statues relating to science in the United States – that of Albert Einstein
Albert Einstein
Albert Einstein was a German-born theoretical physicist who developed the theory of general relativity, effecting a revolution in physics. For this achievement, Einstein is often regarded as the father of modern physics and one of the most prolific intellects in human history...
at the grounds of the National Academy of Sciences in Washington, DC.
Handler was also involved in the creation of the US Federal Department of Health, Education and Welfare (HEW), which is the predecessor to the US Dept. of Health and Human Services. Within HEW, Handler had a significant impact on the creation of a multitude of centers within the National Institutes of Health
National Institutes of Health
The National Institutes of Health are an agency of the United States Department of Health and Human Services and are the primary agency of the United States government responsible for biomedical and health-related research. Its science and engineering counterpart is the National Science Foundation...
, spurred in part by a growing interest in the biosciences, his position on various governmental committees, and the book Biology & The Future of Man which read like a blueprint for a generation of work in the life sciences.
Rather abruptly, Handler died in Boston on December 29, 1981, of pneumonia, after prolonged suffering from lymphoma, just short of six months after leaving office at the Academy. He never returned to Duke University as he had planned nor was he to leave the hospital after his admission for a thorough checkup in August 1981. He chose that his ashes be placed alongside those of his colleagues at Duke University Medical Center, where he started his academic research career.
Employment
- 1937–1939 Junior Chemist, U. S. Regional Soybean Byproducts Laboratory
- Duke University School of Medicine:
- 1939–1942 Fellow and Instructor, Nutrition and Physiology
- 1942–1945 Assistant Professor of Physiology
- 1945–1950 Associate Professor of Biochemistry
- 1950–1961 Professor of Biochemistry and Chairman of the Department
- 1961–1969 James B. Duke Professor of Biochemistry (on leave 1969–1981) and Chairman of the Department
- 1969–1981 President, National Academy of Sciences
- 1970–1981 Distinguished Professor of Medical Sciences, George Washington University
Public Service
Governmental Positions- 1952–1962 Consultant, Veteran's Administration
- 1964–1968 President's Science Advisory CommitteePresident's Science Advisory CommitteeIn 1951 President of the United States Harry S. Truman established the Science Advisory Committee as part of the Office of Defense Mobilization . As a direct response to the launches of the Soviet artificial satellites, Sputnik 1 and Sputnik 2, on October 4 and November 3, 1957, the Science...
- 1968–1974 President's Science Advisory CommitteePresident's Science Advisory CommitteeIn 1951 President of the United States Harry S. Truman established the Science Advisory Committee as part of the Office of Defense Mobilization . As a direct response to the launches of the Soviet artificial satellites, Sputnik 1 and Sputnik 2, on October 4 and November 3, 1957, the Science...
- 1969–1981 Committee on National Medal of Science
- 1980 Chairman, U. S. Delegation to the Scientific Forum of the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe, Hamburg
- National Institutes of Health:
- 1953–1956 Biochemistry Study Section
- 1956–1958 Chairman, Biochemistry Study Section
- 1956–1959 Committee on Health Sciences Training
- 1958–1961 National Advisory Health Council
- 1963–1967 National Advisory Council on Research Resources and Facilities
- National Science Foundation:
- 1958–1960 Panel on Biological Research Facilities
- 1960–1962 Divisional Committee for Biology and Medicine
- 1962–1974 National Science BoardNational Science BoardThe National Science Board of the United States is composed of 25 members appointed by the President and confirmed by the United States Senate, representing the broad U.S. science and engineering community. The Board establishes the policies of the National Science Foundation within the framework...
, Member - 1964–1966 National Science BoardNational Science BoardThe National Science Board of the United States is composed of 25 members appointed by the President and confirmed by the United States Senate, representing the broad U.S. science and engineering community. The Board establishes the policies of the National Science Foundation within the framework...
, Vice-Chairman - 1966–1970 National Science BoardNational Science BoardThe National Science Board of the United States is composed of 25 members appointed by the President and confirmed by the United States Senate, representing the broad U.S. science and engineering community. The Board establishes the policies of the National Science Foundation within the framework...
, Chairman
Non-Government
- 1953–1965 Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology, Member of Board (1953–1965); Executive Committee (1959–1965); Chairman (1964–1965)
- 1953–1968 American Society of Biological Chemists, Secretary (1953–1958); Councillor (1958–1961); President-elect (1961); President (1962); Chairman, Publi-cations Committee (1965–1968)
- 1967–1981 National Academy of SciencesUnited States National Academy of SciencesThe National Academy of Sciences is a corporation in the United States whose members serve pro bono as "advisers to the nation on science, engineering, and medicine." As a national academy, new members of the organization are elected annually by current members, based on their distinguished and...
, Chairman, Committee on the Life Sciences (1967–1970); Councillor (1966–1969); President (1969–1981) - 1969–1981 Board of Trustees, Rockefeller UniversityRockefeller UniversityThe Rockefeller University is a private university offering postgraduate and postdoctoral education. It has a strong concentration in the biological sciences. It is also known for producing numerous Nobel laureates...
- 1973–1979 Board of Trustees, Nutrition Foundation
- 1974–1981 Board of Governors, Hebrew University of JerusalemHebrew University of JerusalemThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem ; ; abbreviated HUJI) is Israel's second-oldest university, after the Technion – Israel Institute of Technology. The Hebrew University has three campuses in Jerusalem and one in Rehovot. The world's largest Jewish studies library is located on its Edmond J...
- 1981 Board of Governors, Weizmann Institute of ScienceWeizmann Institute of ScienceThe Weizmann Institute of Science , known as Machon Weizmann, is a university and research institute in Rehovot, Israel. It differs from other Israeli universities in that it offers only graduate and post-graduate studies in the sciences....
Honors
- Twenty-Eight Honorary Doctorates including: City University of New York (1970), University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (1971), University of Connecticut (1971), Temple University (1972), George Washington University (1973), Michigan State University (1975), University of Alaska (1977), Ohio State University (1978), University of Illinois (1979), University of Maryland (1979), University of Florida (1979), Medical University of South Carolina (1980), Washington University in St. Louis (1980).
- 1943 C.B. Mayer Award, New York Academy of Medicine
- 1964 Member, National Academy of SciencesUnited States National Academy of SciencesThe National Academy of Sciences is a corporation in the United States whose members serve pro bono as "advisers to the nation on science, engineering, and medicine." As a national academy, new members of the organization are elected annually by current members, based on their distinguished and...
- 1964 Townsend Harris Medal, City College of New YorkCity College of New YorkThe City College of the City University of New York is a senior college of the City University of New York , in New York City. It is also the oldest of the City University's twenty-three institutions of higher learning...
- 1966 Annual Orator, Harvey Gushing Society
- 1966 Fellow, American Academy of Arts and SciencesAmerican Academy of Arts and SciencesThe 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...
- 1966 Sigma Xi National Lecturer
- 1969 Annual Award for Distinguished Contributions to Medical Sciences, American Medical AssociationAmerican Medical AssociationThe American Medical Association , founded in 1847 and incorporated in 1897, is the largest association of medical doctors and medical students in the United States.-Scope and operations:...
- 1969 Member, American Philosophical SocietyAmerican Philosophical SocietyThe American Philosophical Society, founded in 1743, and located in Philadelphia, Pa., is an eminent scholarly organization of international reputation, that promotes useful knowledge in the sciences and humanities through excellence in scholarly research, professional meetings, publications,...
- 1970 Benjamin Franklin Fellow, Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufacture and Commerce
- 1970 Honorary Member, Swiss Academy of Natural Sciences
- 1972 Alumni Achievement Award, University of Illinois
- 1972 German Academy of Natural Sciences, Leopoldina
- 1973 Honorary Member, American Institute of ChemistsAmerican Institute of ChemistsThe American Institute of Chemists is an organization founded in 1923 whose goal is to advance the chemical profession in the United States. The institute is known for its yearly awards recognizing contributions of individuals in this field of work. The American Institute of Chemists Gold Medal is...
- 1974 Honorary Member, National Academy of Medicine of Mexico
- 1975 Copernicus Medal, Polish Academy of SciencesPolish Academy of SciencesThe Polish Academy of Sciences, headquartered in Warsaw, is one of two Polish institutions having the nature of an academy of sciences.-History:...
- 1977 The Great Cross of Honor with Star, Government of Austria
- 1977 Insignia of Commander of the Order of Leopold II, King of Belgium
- 1978 Honorary Member, Imperial Iranian Academy of Sciences
- 1978 Commander, Order of Merit, Peoples Republic of Poland
- 1979 Distinguished Public Service Award, National Science Foundation
- 1981 National Medal of ScienceNational Medal of ScienceThe National Medal of Science is an honor bestowed by the President of the United States to individuals in science and engineering who have made important contributions to the advancement of knowledge in the fields of behavioral and social sciences, biology, chemistry, engineering, mathematics and...
Selected Quotations
Many of the quotes were found in the Memorial Program honoring his life and held at the National Academy of Sciences."I am committed to defense of the human rights of all persons, but those of scientists in particular. Not so much because humanity may be denied the fruits of their science, but because they are precious as human beings; because abrogation of their rights is injurious to all mankind; because, as thoughtful intellectuals, scientists not infrequently become involved in the defense of the human rights of others..." – "Science in a Free Society" The Phi Beta Kappa Bicentennial Lecture. College of William and Mary. December 6, 1976
"Creative scientific research is one of the very purposes of our society akin to imaginative scholarship in the humanities and innovation in the arts. Surely, no other course available to this civilization is as hopeful as the continuing subtle interplay of science and developing technology." From "The University in a World in Transition." The Convocation Address at the One Hundred and Fiftieth Anniversary of the University of Virginia. October 21, 1969.
"Do not fear change – help to guide it. Every technology since fire and the wheel confronted humanity simultaneously with the prospect of great benefit – and of considerable hazard, with potential for good and for evil." From "Science in a Free Society" A Commencement Ceremony Address. Southwestern at Memphis. May 30, 1977.