The Swiss Society of Medical Genetics (SGMG) was founded in 1978 on the initiative of Prof. Werner Schmid, Zurich and Prof. Ed. Juillard, Lausanne. Werner Schmid was the first president and served the Society in many functions until receiving emeritus status in 1995. He was also the long-standing editor of the information bulletin published by the SGMG, with hardly an issue appearing without one or more contributions penned by him. Representing the professional interests of geneticists and transmitting genetic information to the medical profession was his lifelong concern. For example, the inclusion of genetic tests in the Federal Analysis List was due entirely to his initiative. Werner Schmid died on the 3rd of January at the age of 72, after a short illness. The Swiss Society of Medical Genetics owes him a great debt of thanks. In 1967, Werner Schmid became lecturer in medical genetics at Zurich University (postdoctoral thesis: “Heterochromatin in Mammals”), in 1969 assistant professor, 1974 associate professor and in 1978 professor and director of the newly founded Institute of Medical Genetics. In 1981, the Institute separated from the Children's Hospital. In spring 1995 he became emeritus professor. In research, Werner Schmid especially made a name for himself due to the development of new methods. His article published in 1963, “DNA replication patterns of human chromosomes,” caused a worldwide sensation. Observation of the replication process using autoradiography allowed the differentiation of apparently identical human chromosomes at a time when banding techniques were still unknown. His article “Sex chromatin in hair roots” (1967) also began an era of biochemical testing using this easily sampled material. Werner Schmid's “The micronucleus test” (1975), a method also used by the pharmaceutical industry for in vitro and in vivo mutagenicity testing during preclinical and clinical development of new drugs, was a “Citation Classic” in “Current Contents” (1990). The publication “A technique for in situ karyotyping of primary amniotic fluid cell cultures” (1975) had an equally worldwide circulation in prenatal diagnosis. The last of his more than 160 scientific publications to be mentioned here is the so-called “Winterthur Study” (1982), which received national acclaim from teachers and educationalists. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, Werner Schmid and a number of graduate students and assistants carried out a study on “Genetic, medical and psychosocial factors in an age-class of 11 year old Winterthur school children.” A third of the age group did not reach the requirements of the school and were given special teaching, indicating exaggerated selection. Children with difficult home and family lives were those who did not pass selection. Constitutional advantages measured by the professional success of parents and close relatives were hardly noticeable during the first four school years. Since the 1970s, Werner Schmid's aim was to make the new achievements of medical genetics and genetic counseling available as a service to the public. Through countless newspaper and magazine articles, presentations, and podium discussions, he tried to explain the complex field of medical genetics and to open it up to the general public. He was one of the pioneers of prenatal diagnosis in Europe, with his institute being one of the few that, since 1971, has systematically followed up and published data on the progress of pregnancies, births, and general health of children after invasive prenatal diagnosis. In 1985, as his Institute reached capacity and the government refused funding for further staffing, Werner Schmid and a group of doctors founded Genetica AG in Zurich. He gave his support to this laboratory to promote his lifelong aim that everyone should have access to medical genetic services. Werner Schmid dedicated a great deal of time and energy to building up and improving his Institute in a time when state funding was becoming tighter, and made intensive efforts to ensure the constant further education of his co-workers. Countless guest workers from all over the world were accepted into his Institute and were introduced to the secrets of the latest methods. In genetic counseling sessions, Schmid was a patient listener and advisor, even in situations that reached beyond the narrow boundaries of genetics. After being given emeritus status in Spring 1995, Werner Schmid traveled a lot and occupied himself with his interests in world and art history. He was able to read many books that he had previously set aside and enjoyed caring for his beautiful garden. Sadly, he was not granted very much time for this.
Read full abstract
Jun 10, 2005
Victoria S Lucas + 1
Open Access