News & Media

April 2009
Director's Corner: Religion, Evolution, and the Dancing Men

A current focus of contention within the scientific community in Canada is whether or not certain of our government officials, in particular Dr. Gary Goodyear (Minister of State, Science and Technology), believe in evolution. Now, I do not think that the question is at all important, as long as our policy makers do not let their personal beliefs, whatever they are, interfere with national support for unbridled curiosity-driven research as our top priority, performed by the brightest minds we can attract to this country. After all, there are many deeply religious individuals who are accomplished and talented scientists. Some of these folks presented the case for the co-existence of religion and evolution in the traveling "Darwin" exhibit that debuted in 2005. Watch as Dr. Francis Collins (former Director of the National Human Genome Research Institute, USA) is interviewed on the subject.

Properly explained, everyone - believer or atheist - would understand and accept the process that we broadly term "evolution." Evolution is a process by which our Universe functions. Planets, stars and galaxies evolve, genes evolve, disciplines of study evolve, nations evolve, religions evolve, and so on.

Perhaps it is the fact of being confronted with "complex products of evolution" that confounds and mystifies so many of us, and makes the concept of biological evolution so impossible to accept without a properly prepared mental framework. How can a structure of stunning complexity (an eye, heart, kidney) evolve from...nothing?

So let's step back a minute. Forget Darwin. I think the best examples of how evolution works may be found in the Sherlock Holmes stories. When Holmes makes what seems like an impossibly astute observation apparently out of nowhere, one is completely baffled, until he guides you - in small steps - through his deductive process. Take this excerpt from "The Adventure of the Dancing Men:"

"...Holmes had been seated in silence with his long, thin back curved over a chemical vessel in which he was brewing a particularly malodorous product. His head was sunk upon his breast, and he looked like a strange, lank bird, with dull grey plumage and a black top-knot.

"So, Watson," said he, suddenly, "you do not propose to invest in South African securities?"

I gave a start of astonishment. Accustomed as I was to Holmes's curious faculties, this sudden intrusion into my most intimate thoughts was utterly inexplicable.

"How on earth do you know that?" I asked.

"Now, Watson, confess yourself utterly taken aback," said he.

"I am."

"I ought to make you sign a paper to that effect."

"Why?"

"Because in five minutes you will say that it is all so absurdly simple."

"I am sure that I shall say nothing of the kind."

"You see, my dear Watson" -- he propped his test-tube in the rack and began to lecture with the air of a professor addressing his class -- "it is not really difficult to construct a series of inferences, each dependent upon its predecessor and each simple in itself. If, after doing so, one simply knocks out all the central inferences and presents one's audience with (just) the starting-point and the conclusion, one may produce a startling effect. Now, it was not really difficult, by an inspection of the groove between your left forefinger and thumb, to feel sure that you did NOT propose to invest your small capital in the goldfields."

"I see no connection."

"Very likely not; but I can quickly show you a close connection. Here are the missing links of the very simple chain: 1. You had chalk between your left finger and thumb when you returned from the Club last night. 2. You put chalk there when you play billiards to steady the cue. 3. You never play billiards except with Thurston. 4. You told me four weeks ago that Thurston had an option on some South African property which would expire in a month, and which he desired you to share with him. 5. Your cheque-book is locked in my drawer, and you have not asked for the key. 6. Therefore, you do not propose to invest your money in this manner."

"How absurdly simple!" I cried.

"Quite so!" said he, a little nettled. "Every problem becomes very childish when once it is explained to you..."

And so, given some time with a reasonably open-minded politician, I (and a wide variety of my colleagues) could explain how we now have new hope in the treatment of diabetes and heart disease (the complex product) because years ago the US funded studies on color inheritance in petunias (the starting point). And how the biotechnology industry likely would not exist today if Thomas Brock hadn't taken a wrong turn during his first visit to Yellowstone National Park and become fascinated with heat-resistant bacteria thriving in the hot springs. And how Rhogam (an injectable antibody for Rh disease) was developed as a follow up to observations on patterns in butterfly wings. And how an eye is the complex outcome of single cells that a billion years ago began to evolve a protein that responded to light. And...well, the list of seemingly unrelated connections like these is virtually endless. The commonality is that in retrospect, if you start at the very beginning and painstakingly present to your audience the incremental steps leading up to the complex product, evolution as a universal process makes sense. But if you just state the starting and end points, leaving out all the incremental advances in between, well, it all looks like some impossible magic trick.

The challenge that scientists face is to patiently and truthfully explain how we do our work - making small observations based on curiosity, and proceeding in incremental steps (with many, many mis-steps along the way) that drive the evolution of our respective fields of study.

How absurdly simple!

Please send any comments about the Director's Corner to David Colman

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Recent News & Events

Award for Excellence
Brenda Milner, the MNI’s Dorothy J. Killam Professor, received the prestigious Award for Excellence from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC). Known as a pioneer in cognitive neurosciences, Brenda revolutionized the study of memory by defining the role of the medial temporal and frontal lobes. Through her research over 50 years, she made major breakthroughs in our understanding of the cerebral mechanisms underlying memory, language and hemispheric specialization. She trained a generation of cognitive neuroscientists, and her work has led to innovative diagnostic and assessment protocols that are widely used.

Brenda has been recognized for her achievements with the Gairdner Award; election to the National Academy of Sciences (USA), the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, the Royal Society of London, the Royal Society of Canada, Order of Canada; and more than 20 honorary degrees.

Building neuroscience in Honduras
MNI neurologist Ivan Woods, neurosurgeon Jeff Hall and brain tumour clinic social worker Pedro Mejia traveled to Honduras to meet Dr. Marco Medina, Director of the Neurology Training Program at the National Autonomous University of Honduras. This visit opened discussions on how the MNI can help build capacity in neuroscience in Central America. Dr. Medina has made a dramatic difference in access to neurological care in Honduras by establishing a residency program with help from the World Federation of Neurologists. This initiative extends a long tradition at the Neuro, which has had a significant impact on the growth of neurology and neurosurgery worldwide by training young physicians and scientists who returned to their home countries to establish specialty services.

Great grant success - again
Scientists at the MNI continue to attract research dollars from the government granting agencies. In the most recent Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) grant competition, 60% of MNI applications were funded, for a rate of success about double the national average. These precious dollars fund basic and clinical research that increases our understanding of the nervous system and opens the door to medical advances in neuroscience and other fields.

Annual Faculty & Staff Campaign
This year “Putting our heads together” the Faculty and Staff fundraising campaign for the Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital (The Neuro) raised almost $110,000 in support of patient care, neuroscience research, and training. The response from our 900 employees continues to grow, making our Faculty and Staff campaigns some of the most successful within an institute or hospital in Canada and an important part of The Neuro’s Thinking Ahead Capital Campaign. This year’s successful fundraising effort is thanks to co-chairs, Drs. Donatella Tampieri and Bruce Pike, the great team of volunteers and everyone that gave generously. Astra Zeneca, Merck-Frosst, and Teva are gratefully acknowledged for supporting the campaign with matching funds through the Corporate Challenge program. Corporate Challenge [.pdf]

The Neuro Launches Its Time Capsule Contest
What would you place in a time capsule that would be re-opened 75 years from now in the year 2084? In celebration of our 75th Anniversary, The Neuro is holding a contest that gives students in grades 5 and 6 a chance to answer this question and become a part of Montreal’s scientific and historic legacy. The winning suggestion will go into the time capsule and representatives from the winning class will join everyone at The Neuro in putting together the final contents of the time capsule. Prizes benefiting the science and history programs at the wining school will also be offered. For more information, please contact: Katie Kostiuk at 514-398-5244 or visit our web site and follow the prompts to the 75th Anniversary section.

Web News
The Neuro Library has a new web site with updated features including links to online journals and databases as well as a list of recent Neuro publications as indexed on PubMed.

Upcoming events

Spring Fling, April 30
The MNI’s abundant musical and other talents will be showcased at the MNI Spring Fling on Thursday, April 30 in the Jeanne Timmins amphitheatre. Be sure to bring your colleagues and friends to this fun, annual event.

Fashion Show Fundraiser, April 30
Insomnia, a fashion show fundraiser, will take place on April 30th, 2008 at Buffet Antique (6086 Sherbrooke E.,Montreal, Quebec, H1N 1C1 , P: 514 255 2922) from 6-10 p.m. Tickets are $55 and all proceeds will benefit brain tumour research and multiple sclerosis at the Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital. For tickets and more information contact Mr. Vince Lacroce at 514.483.7200 ext. 5365.

Neuro Convocation, May 7
Each year, the Neuro Convocation reminds us that success comes through the contributions of many talented and dedicated people. The celebration will take place on May 7 at 3 pm in the Jeanne Timmins Amphitheatre and continue at the reception which will follow. All are welcome to attend.

Congratulations to ...

Neuropsychologist Alain Ptito, Associate Professor in the Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery at the MNI, has been named as Psychologist-in-Chief for the MUHC. Alain will maintain his research program at the MNI where he studies the mechanisms involved in cerebral reorganization and plasticity in patients with stroke, Parkinson’s disease, and other conditions. He is investigating the value of functional magnetic resonance imaging to assess the severity and course of recovery in patients with concussion and traumatic brain injuries. In his new role, Alain assumes responsibilities for clinical supervision at the Allen Memorial, the Montreal Chest Hospital and Montreal General Hospital.

Eugene Bereza, Chairman of the MNI’s Research Ethics Board, has been named Director of the Biomedical Ethics Unit, Faculty of Medicine at McGill University. Eugene, Associate Professor and Director of the Medical Ethics Program in the Department of Family Medicine, will continue in his important role at the MNI, and will teach and serve as bioethics consultant to MUHC hospitals. Eugene’s research interests include palliative care and end of life care.

Thanks to ...

Emily Rubin-Ferriera, Rosanne Aleong and their colleagues for organizing another successful Brain Awareness Open House for elementary school students.

Condolences to …

To friends and family of Keith Worsley, former McGill professor of mathematics and statistics, who worked closely with scientists in the MNI’s McConnell Brain Imaging Centre and made many fundamental contributions to the field of human brain mapping.

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Director - David R. Colman, PhD
Senior Management - Mark Angle, MD; Phil Barker, PhD; Rob Dunn, PhD; Tom Gevas, Marilyn Kaplow, Elizabeth Kofron, PhD; Patricia O'Connor, Catherine Rowe, Donatella Tampieri, MD
Neuro News: Elizabeth Kofron, PhD & Sandra McPherson, PhD

Please send any items for the Neuro News to Sandra McPherson or Beth Kofron.

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