James Van Gundia Neel (March 22, 1915 – February 1, 2000) was an American geneticist who played a key role in the development of human genetics as a field of research in the United States. He made important contributions to the emergence of genetic epidemiology and pursued an understanding of the influence of environment on genes. In his early work, he studied sickle-cell disease and thalassemia conducted research on the effects of radiation on survivors of the Hiroshima atomic bombing. In 1956, Neel established the University of Michigan Department of Genetics, the first department of human genetics at a medical school in the United States. He was elected a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 1971.Neel developed the "thrifty gene hypothesis" that paleolithic humans, facing long periods of hunger punctuated by brief periods of food surplus, would have adapted genetically by processing fats and carbohydrates more efficiently during feast periods, to be physiologically resilient during periods of famine. Neel believed that this genetic adaptation might have created a predisposition to type 2 diabetes mellitus. This theory was later discredited by research conducted by Neel himself.Of particular interest to Neel was an understanding of the human genome in an evolutionary light, a concept he addressed in his fieldwork with cultural anthropologist Napoleon Chagnon among the Yanomamo and Xavante in Brazil and Venezuela. His involvement in this fieldwork came under heavy scrutiny and criticism in the Darkness in El Dorado controversy, a scandal in anthropology that broke in 2000 involving numerous allegations of unethical research that threatened serious damage to Neel's reputation. The accusation is that Neel deliberately injected South American natives with virulent measles vaccine to spark off an epidemic which killed hundreds and probably thousands. However, these claims against him were never substantiated with any evidence, and it was found later that the measles outbreak predated his arrival. The majority of the allegations in Darkness in El Dorado have since been found to have been fabricated by the author.
Dr. Neel attended the College of Wooster with a degree in biology in 1935 and went on to receive his Ph.D. at the University of Rochester.
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Some of their strengths
James Van Gundia Neel has many admirable traits.
Based on spiritual traditions from around the world, they are someone who can be described as Independent, Brave, Intuitive, Generous, Charming, Intelligent, and Optimistic.
Independent and Brave
According to Mysticism’s Astrology tradition, James Van Gundia Neel is someone who is an independent, brave, and honest person who approaches life with energy, intuition, passion, and generosity. A person who sees life as a journey not a destination.
Adventurous and Free
Based on Daoism’s Ba-Zi or ‘Chinese Zodiac’ tradition, people who know James Van Gundia Neel well know them as someone who can be talented, wayward and free, like a big river or the ocean.
Independent and Organized
According to Hinduism’s Jyotisha or ‘Vedic Astrology’ tradition, many would also describe James Van Gundia Neel as someone who is independent, organized, inventive, and generous.
A person who is curious and a loves learning, who seems to always know what to say, who has an optimism that can overcome any difficult situation, and who seems to be able to master almost any skill.
Wise and Deep
Based on the Mayan Tzolk’in or ‘Mayan Astrology’ tradition, James Van Gundia Neel is someone who tends to have an internal innate wisdom, and who people tend to see as an "old soul".
They are also someone who is intuitive, imaginative, and an agent of change, and who is always dreaming of life's great possibilities and partnering with people to try to achieve those possibilities.
Independent and Dynamic
According to Judaism’s Kabbalah tradition, James Van Gundia Neel tends to be someone who is independent, dynamic, and courageous. Who can be positive, energetic, self-reliant, and adventurous, and who can make friends easily.
Some of James Van Gundia Neel's challenges
While James Van Gundia Neel has many strengths, nobody is perfect. They also have some challenging traits they need to manage.
For example, James Van Gundia Neel can be Short-tempered, Impulsive, Hypocritical, Self-centered, Arrogant, Status-seeking, and Domineering.
Short-tempered and Impulsive
One of James Van Gundia Neel's key challenges is that they are someone who can come across as short-tempered and impulsive.
James Van Gundia Neel must also exercise caution as they can have difficulty dealing with responsibility, authority, or criticism.
Domineering and Impatient
James Van Gundia Neel is someone who can be demanding, egotistical, and controlling, can have a lack of judgment regarding personal finances, be argumentative and stubborn, and who can have a tendency to be withdrawn and spend time in self-imposed isolation.
Aggressive and Domineering
Finally, James Van Gundia Neel also can be aggressive, impatient, impulsive, and short-tempered.
