Interview with Professor Peter Harper, conducted by Professor Tilli Tansey, for the History of Modern Biomedicine Research Group, 06 June 2015, in the School of History, Queen Mary University of London. Transcribed by Mrs Debra Gee, and edited by Professor Tilli Tansey and Mr Alan Yabsley. The project management was undertaken by Mr Adam Wilkinson.
Professor Peter Harper (b. 1939) is Emeritus Professor of Human Genetics at Cardiff University. He has been closely involved with the identification of the genes underlying Huntington’s disease and muscular dystrophies, and with their application to predictive genetic testing. He has also been responsible for the development of a general medical genetics service for Wales. He is a Consultant to the ‘Makers of Modern Biomedicine Project’ for the History of Modern Biomedicine Research Group, Queen Mary University of London.
The History of Modern Biomedicine Research Group is funded by the Wellcome Trust, which is a registered charity (no. 210183). The current interview has been funded by the Wellcome Trust Strategic Award entitled “Makers of modern biomedicine: testimonies and legacy” (2012-2017; awarded to Professor Tilli Tansey).
The interview is part of the History of the Modern Biomedicine Interviews (Digital Collection).
Access to the transcript of this video interview and its related material:
History of Modern Biomedicine Interviews (Digital Collection), items e2017093-e2017099.
Example of how to cite: Tansey E M (intvr); Yabsley A (prod) (2017) Harper, Peter: 01 - Becoming a geneticist, the influence of Cyril Clarke & Victor McKusick (06-Jun-2015). History of Modern Biomedicine Interviews (Digital Collection), item e2017094. London: Queen Mary University of London.
Note: Video interviews are conducted following standard oral history methodology, and have received ethical approval (reference QMREC 0642). Video interview transcripts are edited only for clarity and factual accuracy. Related material has been deposited in the Wellcome Library.
© The Trustee of the Wellcome Trust, London, 2017.
Professor Harper has contributed to several Witness Seminars including: 'Genetic Testing'; 'The Rhesus Factor and disease Prevention'; 'Clinical Genetics in Britain: Origins and Development'; 'Clinical Cancer Genetics: Polyposis and Familial Colorectal Cancer c.1975-c.2010'; 'Clinical Molecular Genetics in the UK c.1975–c.2000'; 'Human Gene Mapping Workshops c.1973-c.1991'.
