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Revision as of 19:44, 26 May 2011

Mario Christian Meyer

Mario Christian Meyer (born 4 June 1953) is a Swiss-Brazilian doctor and advocate for the sustainable development of the Amazonia and preservation of its indigenous cultural heritage.

Biography

Meyer was born on June 4, 1953 in Salta, Argentina. His father, Hermann Meyer, a Swiss polytechnics engineer specializing in agronomy, became a fazendeiro (large plantation farmer), first in Argentina, in the early 1930s, then in Brazil in 1954. His mother, Anne Camille Blanc de Corbières Meyer, was a Swiss structural engineer. The young Meyer spent his first months in Salta, where his father had established a Hacienda and an olive oil production plant. Because of Peronism, with its nationalism and isolationism, his family lost everything and, in 1954, consequently moved to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

In the book Embracing Amazonia published in Brazil, 2008, Eliana Spengler (Giant of Ecology Award coordinator) talks about Meyer’s childhood and youth:

"… In his early years, he elected his father's library as his shelter; there he nourished his young mind and imagination reading books by classical Brazilian writers about Amazonian rainforest and Índios. Later, through encyclopaedias, he developed personal approaches to his numerous questions about the meaning of life ..."[1]

The stories of Brazilian authors Jose de Alencar, Castro Alves and Machado de Assis fueled Meyer's love of the Amazon, while reading Montaigne's Bon sauvage, Rousseau's État de Nature and Locke's concepts of empiricism and tabula rasa directed his thoughts on the nature of human development.

Later in life, Meyer experienced an Índios initiation rite, an experience that sealed his commitment to the Amazonian cause.

Career

Meyer studied medicine, specializing in Developmental Neuropsychology and Child Psychiatry. He went on to teach at the Sorbonne in Paris. His thesis Apprentissage de la langue maternelle écrite: étude sur des populations autochtones dites socio-culturellement défavorisées dans une approche interdisciplinaire[2] prefaced by Prof. Dr. Julian de Ajuriaguerra of the Collège de France, published by UNESCO[3], examined the problems of underprivileged indigenous populations in learning written language. This work for UNESCO has induced Prof. Dr. Meyer to study the contribution of western sciences (neuropsychiatry, neurolinguistics, neuropsychology, psychomotricity…) to the approach of learning disabilities occurring with illiteracy in the developing countries. This official mission led him into the heart of the Amazonian Rainforest for the first time[4], where he undertook an exhaustive case study about the different forms of graphic representations of the written language used by the Amerindians in their pictograms, ideograms, petroglyphs and body paintings (e.g. Genipapo - Genipa americana, Urucu - Bixa orellana), obtained using plant pigments[5], where he discovered the power of their active ingredients. Meyer evolved from this work to a general effort to promote the value of indigenous ancestral knowledge and to preserve their natural environment (the Amazon).

In 1989, Meyer was made Fellow of the Société de Médecine de Paris [6], founded on the “Germinal 2, year IV” (French Revolutionary calendar, i.e. March 22nd, 1796), originating from the Société Royale de Médecine [7] founded in 1730. There, he presented his works on Amazônia, which were to give birth to new medicines.

His missions in the Amazon rainforest in close contact with the « People of Nature », the Índios[8] gave him a new conception of Man-Nature interaction. They lead him to combine his expertise in neuropsychology in the field of linguistic and cultural diversity with his experience in biological diversity and its preservation by biotechnologies.

This association allowed him to fight for the transformation of the Amazonian biodiversity and medicinal plants into a truly genuine pharmacology benefiting both Amazônia and the Western world [9].

Thus, from 1992 Prof. Dr. Meyer participated as an official member of the State of Amazonas delegation in the UN Earth Summit Rio 92.

It is in this context that, in 1994, he coordinated on Brazilian territory – after a due hand-over by the French Ambassador in Brasília – the first Ministerial « mission for biotechnology to valorize biodiversity » ever to be organized between France and the State of Amazonas. This mission, which had been initiated in 1993 by the French Minister of Research and Space Hubert Curien (via the National Programme of Biotechnologies, directed by Prof. Daniel Thomas), was carried out under the auspices of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, with the active involvement of the Governor of the State of Amazonas.

In 1994, Meyer appeared as a special delegate from Brazil to the UNESCO’s World Symposium on Literacy[10] in order to present his new approach merging linguistic abilities and biodiversity know how.

Since then, he has gone on to found PISAD: Programme International de Sauvegarde de l’Amazônia, Mata Atlântica et des Amérindiens pour le Développement Durable [International Program to Safeguard Amazônia, the Mata Atlântica and the Amerindians for Sustainable Development], a humanist and non-profit organization. To implement it, he has created a platform of "fair and equitable dialogue - a bridge - between preserved Índios and western scientists"[11] to valorize the ancestral knowledge of the Índios and the Amazonian biodiversity. Originally, Meyer associated an operational concept and methodology regarding the psycho-cultural revitalization of endangered Amerindian knowledge which he had pioneered as Cogni'Índios[11]. Meyer is currently adapting a process for the bio-production of active ingredients contained in medicinal plants to the needs and abilities of the Índios, enabling them to manage the production of these pharmaceuticals and ensuring them economic autonomy and self-sustainable development. This bio-production is based upon the alliance between the Índios’ know-how and a green biotechnology (Milking Plant Technology) developed by INPL – Institut National Polytechnique de Lorraine (National Polytechnic Institute of Lorraine), France[12].

UNESCO’s Participation Programme entitled "Amerindian Communication and Sustainable Economic Development Programme for a Culture of Peace in Brazilian Amazônia" (00 BRA 603), which Meyer led from 1999 to 2003, has been a central element of his work and a starting point for his further action[13].

Awards and recognition

For his efforts, Meyer was awarded the Brazilian prize "Gigante da Ecologia" (Giant of Ecology) in 2008.[14]

Selected publications

Scientific publishing

1980's
  • Meyer, Mario Christian (1985). Apprentissage de la langue maternelle écrite : étude sur des populations "les moins favorisées" dans une approche interdisciplinaire (PDF). Preface by Collège de France, Paris: UNESCO, 150 p., 33 illust. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)
  • Meyer, Mario Christian (1985). "Psychomotricité, mémoire corporelle et éducation" (PDF). Le corps et sa mémoire:: actes du VIe Congrès international de psychomotricité, La Haye, 1984. Paris: Doin: 250. ISBN 9782704004935. {{cite journal}}: Cite has empty unknown parameters: |laydate=, |coauthors=, |separator=, |laysummary=, |laysource=, and |month= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |journal= (help); More than one of |pages= and |page= specified (help); Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)
  • Meyer, Mario Christian (1986). "Psychiatrie Sociale : la violence en ligne de mire" (PDF). Le Quotidien du Médecin. year 16 (nr. 3734). Paris, FR: Front page. {{cite journal}}: |number= has extra text (help); More than one of |pages= and |page= specified (help); Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)
  • Meyer, Mario Christian (January 1987). "Cultural shock, neuropsychological and cognitive functions of symbolization and psychiatric risk" (PDF). Journal de Psychiatrie Biologique et Thérapeutique,. 24: 6.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: extra punctuation (link)
  • Meyer, Mario Christian (October 1988). "Dépression et nouvelles technologies: perspectives ouvertes" (PDF). Journal de Psychiatrie Biologique et Thérapeutique,. 31: 55–58. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)CS1 maint: extra punctuation (link)
1990's
2000's
  • Meyer, Mario Christian (2007). "Príncipe das Florestas". EcoFenix. São Paulo, BR: 1:28-31. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)
  • Meyer, Mario Christian (2009). "The Secrets of Water: from Universe to Cell [Os Segredos da Água: do Universo às Células]". . Water, the Soul of Landscapes (PDF). preface by Patrick Baudry. Carlos Renato Fernandes ed.: Ipsis Gráfica e Editora. pp. 12–37. 240 p. {{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameters: |laydate=, |coauthors=, |separator=, |laysummary=, |laysource=, and |month= (help); Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)
  • Meyer, Mario Christian (August 31st, 2009). "Como o resgate cultural pode ajudar o Índio aculturado e a nossa sociedade?". FGV – Fundação Getúlio Vargas (Highest Business School in Latin America). São Paulo, BR. {{cite journal}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameters: |coauthors= and |month= (help); Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)

General publications

1980's
  • Meyer, Mario Christian (1986). "Le Corps et la Culture au Brésil". Le Quotidien du Médecin. Nr.3410, Year 16. Paris, FR. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)
1990's
  • Meyer, Mario Christian (July–August, 1991). "Quelles belles plantes" (PDF). Glamour. Nr.35. Paris, FR: 145–149. {{cite journal}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)
  • Meyer, Mario Christian (May 18th, 1992). "França vai investir em biotecnologias". A Crítica, Educação e Saúde,. Year 53, p.8. Manaus – Amazonas, BR: 8. {{cite journal}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameters: |laydate=, |coauthors=, |separator=, |laysummary=, |month=, |laysource=, and |Year= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |journal= (help); Text "author" ignored (help)CS1 maint: extra punctuation (link)
  • Meyer, Mario Christian (1993). "Nativos são cientistas". "Conhecimentos milenares dos nossos Índios são valorizados com tecnologia tradicional [Millenarian knowledge of our Indians are valorized with traditional technology]", Arte e Cultura News. Brasília, BR. {{cite journal}}: Cite has empty unknown parameters: |laydate=, |coauthors=, |separator=, |laysummary=, |laysource=, and |month= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |journal= (help); Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)
2000's
  • Meyer, Mario Christian (20 November 2001). "Myths and Science in Amazonia". blakexpeditions. Sir Peter Blake Trust. Retrieved 4 February 2011.
  • Meyer, Mario Christian (May 9, 2002). "France and INPA (National Institute for Amazônia's Research) reinforce their Partnership for the use of New Technologies" (PDF). Amazonas em Tempo, Cidades, B2,. year 14. Manaus – AM-BR: p. B2. {{cite journal}}: |page= has extra text (help); Cite has empty unknown parameters: |laydate=, |coauthors=, |separator=, |laysummary=, |laysource=, and |month= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |journal= (help); Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)
  • Meyer, Mario Christian (November 29, 2002). "A new instrument to protect the Amazonian biodiversity" (PDF). Gazeta do Povo – Globo Network,. year 84. Paraná – BR: p. 12. {{cite journal}}: |page= has extra text (help); Cite has empty unknown parameters: |laydate=, |coauthors=, |separator=, |laysummary=, |laysource=, and |month= (help); Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)CS1 maint: extra punctuation (link)
  • Meyer, Mario Christian (October 8, 2006). "Alliance between Traditional Knowledge and Biotechnology" (PDF). Amazonas em Tempo, Mosaico, p.8. year 18 (n° 5.723). Manaus – AM-BR. {{cite journal}}: |issue= has extra text (help); Cite has empty unknown parameters: |laydate=, |coauthors=, |separator=, |laysummary=, |laysource=, and |month= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |journal= (help); Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)CS1 maint: extra punctuation (link)
  • Meyer, Mario Christian (October 8, 2006). "How can the cultural rescue help the acculturated Indians and our society?" (PDF). Amazonas em Tempo, Mosaico, p.6,. year 18 (n° 5.730). Manaus – AM-BR. {{cite journal}}: |issue= has extra text (help); Cite has empty unknown parameters: |laydate=, |coauthors=, |separator=, |laysummary=, |laysource=, and |month= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |journal= (help); Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)CS1 maint: extra punctuation (link)
  • Meyer, Mario Christian (October 25, 2006). "Scientists discuss Biotechnology advancement" (PDF). O Estado do Paraná, Cidades,. year 56 (n° 16.767). Paraná-BR: p.11. {{cite journal}}: |issue= has extra text (help); |pages= has extra text (help); Cite has empty unknown parameters: |laydate=, |coauthors=, |separator=, |laysummary=, |month=, and |laysource= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |journal= (help); Text "page" ignored (help)CS1 maint: extra punctuation (link)
  • Meyer, Mario Christian (January 24, 2007). "Project aiming to restore wealth to the Índios," (PDF). O Estado do Paraná (Newspaper of Paraná State, Brazil),. year 56 (n° 16.845). Paraná – BR: p.9. {{cite journal}}: |issue= has extra text (help); |page= has extra text (help); Cite has empty unknown parameters: |laydate=, |coauthors=, |separator=, |laysummary=, |laysource=, and |month= (help); Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)CS1 maint: extra punctuation (link)
  • Meyer, Mario Christian (February 26, 2007). "Amerindians from Amazônia learn about technologies," (PDF). TV BAND, Pé no Rio, Education and Adventure,. year 44. Paraná – BR. {{cite journal}}: Cite has empty unknown parameters: |laydate=, |coauthors=, |separator=, |laysummary=, |laysource=, and |month= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |journal= (help); Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)CS1 maint: extra punctuation (link)
  • Meyer, Mario Christian (April 19-25th, 2008). "For the preservation of the Amazon" (PDF). Tribuna Catarinense,. year 14 (nº 1401). Santa Catarina – BR: p.29. {{cite journal}}: |page= has extra text (help); Check date values in: |date= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameters: |laydate=, |coauthors=, |separator=, |laysummary=, |month=, and |laysource= (help); Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)CS1 maint: extra punctuation (link)
  • Meyer, Mario Christian (2008). "Mario Christian Meyer, um Gigante da Ecologia". Ambiente Brasil. Paraná, BR. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)
  • Meyer, Mario Christian (2009). "O Pelé dos Mares [King of the Ocean],". In Siqueira, Gustavo (ed.). A Água é o Sangue da Terra, Preface by M. C. Meyer,. (Santa Catarina, BR): Nova Letra Editor. pp. 134 p. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)

References

  1. ^ Siqueira, Gustavo (2008). Embracing Amazônia. Brazil.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  2. ^ , http://unesdoc.UNESCO.org/images/0006/000678/067843F.pdf
  3. ^ , Meyer, Mario Christian (December 1985). "Apprentissage de la langue maternelle écrite: étude sur des populations autochtones dites socio-culturellement défavorisées dans une approche interdisciplinaire" (PDF) (in French).{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link)
  4. ^ in § 5, chapter “Out of the Forest and into the Labs: Amerindian initiation into sacred science”, “Amazon Up Close”, New Jersey (USA), Hunter Publishing, 1997, Meyer tells the irrevocable attraction that he felt towards the Rainforest and its inhabitants on his very first contact with them: “The immense profusion of vegetal, animal and human life – as represented by Amazônia’s vast biological diversity – exerts an irresistible fascination over everyone who has had the privilege to know it and to live with its indigenous population.”: http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-150675548.html and in in § 3, p. 85: http://www.pisad.bio.br/artigos/amazon_up_close.pdf
  5. ^ Id. ibid., Note 4, in § 4, chapter “New languages of healing”: “… I had the privilege of being able to document the immense richness of Amerindian graphic systems which, in their own way, constitute a type of natural though highly unconventional alphabet”, says Meyer about his first study of the written language transmission in Amazônia: http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-150675548.html and,, in § 1, p. 86: http://www.pisad.bio.br/artigos/amazonupclose_outoftheforest.pdf
  6. ^ The “Société de Médecine de Paris” is the most ancient Society of Medicine still existing: http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soci%C3%A9t%C3%A9_de_m%C3%A9decine_de_Paris and http://www.socmedparis.org
  7. ^ The “Société Royale de Médecine” was reformed in 1778 and abolished by the French Revolution by way of the law of “20 Thermidor year I” (French Revolutionary calendar, i.e. August 8th, 1793): http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soci%C3%A9t%C3%A9_royale_de_M%C3%A9decine
  8. ^ Name given to Preserved Amazonian Amerindian people in opposition to Indians, who lost their culture by being in contact with the Westerners’ dominant civilization
  9. ^ Meyer makes a detailed review of pharmacological active principles arising from Amazonian biodiversity, and the means to preserve and add value to this precious knowledge and its depositary guardians. For more detailed review, see Note 6 (UNESCO, 2000): http://www.pisad.bio.br/artigos/the_amazon.pdf
  10. ^ UNESCO (1994). World Symposium on Literacy (PDF) (Report). UNESCO.
  11. ^ a b , Meyer, Mario Christian (9 November 2006). "Valorização dos Recursos Genéticos e novo olhar para a Indústria: Biotecnologia inédita para a saúde do Homem e da Natureza". Ambiente Brazil.
  12. ^ in § 15, ‘Valorization of the Genetic Resources and New Perspectives for the Industry: Unprecedented Biotechnology for Man and Nature Health”, published in Ambiente en Foco, November 13th, 2006, Meyer asserts that the proof comes through their innovative biotechnology, which “… is called PAT (Plantes à Traire = Milking Plant Technology). Thus, for the first time in the history, we created a ‘practical procedure’, which allows the Industrialists and the Forest Communities to speak the same language, and to have the same objectives: to produce economic and social results, while preserving Nature…”: http://www.pisad.bio.br/artigos/ambienteemfoco_valorizacaodosrecursosgeneticos.pdf
  13. ^ "ECOLOGIA: Mario Christian Meyer, um "Gigante da Ecologia"". Noolhar.
  14. ^ "Entrevista: Mario Christian Meyer, um "Gigante da Ecologia"". Ambiente Brasil. 23 April 2008.

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