We knew Barnard as a scientist, as well as a heart surgeon, through articles written by him and published as exclusives by our journals.
These articles reported the progress made by the research work conducted by Christian Barnard in 1987, at the University of Oklahoma, on cell therapies: in these studies the scientist viewed the development and future of medicine.
And now that, 20 years later, the research on adult cells and foetal cells is at the apex of topicality, we may legitimately state that Christian Barnard was an actual pioneer, not only in the area of heart surgery, but in the whole medical field with really wide-ranging interests.
Here is what he stated in this regard in an interview given to Prof. Eugenio Caradonna, member of our Scientific Committee, an interview in which Christian Barnard replied to questions relating to the scientific evolution of his research work on cells, after having concluded his experience in the transplant sector.

Leadership Medica no.9/ 1989

E.C.: Professor Barnard, what are your present interests?
C.B.: - After leaving the Oklahoma University programme in 1987, I chose to take an interest in research work relating to ageing. Ageing is like a disease, since it has the same degenerative features and it alters the quality of life; I am quite certain that it is not necessary to undergo the pathologic alterations that ageing involves, and this is why I am conducting research into the cells which are connected to ageing. All this started in a totally fortuitous manner. I wrote a book on the subject: “Good life, good death”. In the last chapter of this book, I talk about man’s search for immortality. But it was for the purpose of writing this book that I had to read and study a lot on the biology of ageing and of cells: I was totally fascinated by the subject. This is how I started taking an interest in research work relating to the biology of ageing and, of course, on the biology of cells. As you know, there is a cell line named Hila, based on the initials of the patient from whom the cells were taken, and these are immortal. This is why we are currently developing and finalising a study aimed at implementing therapies through which mutations may be accomplished to make cells immortal, as the tumour cell line.

E.C.:- With which centres are you conducting this research work at present?
C.B.: - I am working with the Zoology Department of the University of Oklahoma, with the Max Plink Institute (Friberg) and with the Oncology Institute of the University of Iowa.

E.C..: -What stage of development have these studies reached so far?
C.B.: At the moment it would not be appropriate for me to disclose any information on results, but I promise that, as soon as I am in a position to do so, I shall let you have an advance article.

E.C.: -Professor, I thank you for your kindness and cooperation. C.B.: - And I thank you for your always kind and Leader-like hospitality!

We remember Professor Barnard as an exceptional personality, with great charm and charisma, whom we have had the pleasure and the honour of working with and also of being counted among his friends.