SAVILE SCIENCE – ‘ONCE UPON A CHROMOSOME’ MYTHS AND LEGENDS IN MEDICINE – SAVILIAN DR ANAND SAGGAR

CHAIRED BY SAVILIAN CLIFF COLLIS

While there is no evidence that mermaids exist outside folklore, reports of mermaid sightings continue to the present day. Mermaids have been a popular subject of art and literature in recent centuries sanitised by in Hans Christian Andersen’s literary fairy tale “The Little Mermaid” (1836). Though not as well known as their female counterparts, the Blue Men of the Minch mermen have an equally fierce reputation for summoning storms, sinking ships and drowning sailors.

There is clear evidence that many myths and legends such Mermaids and Mermen, Cyclops and even Elves were real phenomena that have had their stories retold and ‘Disneyfied’.

The talk will focus on what Medicine there is Art and how myths and legends originated, their reality and purpose.

Dr Saggar a Consultant in Clinical Genetics and Senior Lecturer in Medicine at St Georges University of London. His area is inherited diseases.

He has a longstanding interest in Art and Medicine and has worked with numerous TV channels, the press and the Judiciary in helping improve the public understanding of Genetics. Dr Saggar is a passionate supporter and Patron of the Arts. He chaired the Hospital Arts Committee for 14 years helping to steer the development of the Arts programme, visual, sculptural and performance.  Over the last decade he has championed the discovery of new artists, promoted collaborations and residences and also been at the forefront of having artworks displayed in hospitals for the benefit of patients, staff and the visiting public. He has owned and ran a commercial gallery and established the National Graduate Art Show to help young graduands progress a career in the Arts.