All science is social. Carl Djerassi (1) is absolutely convinced of this. Its social component can be romantic but it can also be strangled by a web of power and intrigue. Carl Djerassi has researched and experienced both sides of the issue.

Born in Vienna in 1923 Djerassi emigrated to the United States in 1938 where he studied chemistry at Kenyon College and at the University of Wisconsin. Following four years research at Ciba Pharmaceutical, the US branch of the Swiss company, in Summit, New Jersey, he joined Syntex in Mexico City. This is where his career took off; he received the National Medal Technology for his contribution to the development of new methods of insect control and the National Medal of Science for the first synthesis of an oral contraceptive. Djerassi also holds numerous honorary doctorates, including one from ETH Zurich awarded in 1995.

Chemistry scientist and author of books

Today Djerassi is most often referred to as the "father of the pill". It is too easy to forget that he also founded one of the first biotech companies (Zoecon, now a subsidary of Novartis Ltd.) and that not only did he discover and bring to market the first contraceptive pill (Norethindrone) but was also responsible for the antihistamine (Pyribenzamine) and a corticosteroid (Synalar).

In the meanwhile the 82-year old is Professor Emeritus of Chemistry at Stanford University and a successful author and playwright. He coined the phrase science-in-fiction, a form of literature that puts science at the centre and discusses its future development (2). Djerassi's published works include "Cantor's Dilemma", "The Bourbaki Gambit", "Marx, deceased", "Menachem's Seed" and "NO". Seven years ago he turned his focus to writing "science-in-the-theatre". His first piece, "An Immaculate Misconception", premiered at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 1988 and illuminates "Sex in the age of mechanical reproduction“. This was followed by "Oxygen", on the discovery of the element, and, now, "Calculus", which deals with the priority dispute between Sir Isaac Newton and Gottfried Wilhelm Freiherr von Leibniz as the inventor of differential calculus.

Carl Djerassi, chemistry scientist and author of numerous science-in-fiction books, does not wish to be called "the father of the pill" because, he says: "My subject is chemistry and every chemistry scientist is a mother". Picture: Jason Grow/Stanford University.

Colley Cibber and Sir John Vanbrugh in dispute: "Since when has veracity on the stage been a virtue?“ Picture: R. Day/Nature. large

Djerassi is now in Switzerland with his play "Calculus(3). It will be staged within the framework of the ETH Jubilee on the "Studiobühne" of Zurich's Opera House. "Newton was born on Christmas day in the year of Galileo’s death. He was so convinced of his supernatural powers that he once constructed a virtual anagram of his name (Isaacus Neutonus) in terms of 'God’s holy one' (Jeova sanctus unus)", says Djerassi. "As a person Newton was not only exceedingly difficult, but also morally flawed. Adjectives that could be used to describe facets of his personality are aloof, lonely, secretive, introverted, melancholic, humourless, puritanical, cruel, vindictive, and perhaps worst of all, unforgiving."

Newton's character

These are the character traits that Djerassi's play Calculus focus on. The dispute with Leibniz developed into a War of Roses that was finally decided in 1712 in Newton's favour with a secret ruling from the Royal Society. "Calculus provides some speculative insight into this scientific scandal through the personalities of John Arbuthnot, Louis Frederick Bonet and Abraham de Moivre, with most of the biographical references firmly rooted in historical records," says Djerassi. "And even though the particular meeting of the playwrights Colley Cibber and Sir John Vanbrugh is invented, both are historical characters whose respective plays 'Love’s Last Shift' and 'The Relapse: Or Virtue in Danger and their Final Collaboration', 'The Provok’d Husband', as well as 'The Rehearsal' are part of the proud canon of English Restoration drama."

Djerassi on campus Hönggerberg, on radio and on TV

But the "father of the pill" is not only in Zurich to give an account of power and intrigue. For the Hönggerberg Lectures Series he delivered a lecture last Friday entitled "Sex in the age of mechanical reproduction“ on the invitation of Professor Wilhelm Krek and his team from the ETH Institute of Cell Biology and Professor Yves Barral from the ETH Institute of Biochemistry.

On the 4th of May, together with Professor Peter H. Seeberger vom Laboratory of Organic Chemistry, Djerassi discussed "Live and Health" on Swiss National Radio DRS 1 in the programme "Treffpunkt", on the 5th of May, he will be appearing on the Swiss TV channel SF 1 (10 p.m.) as a guest of Kurt Aeschbacher, and on 23rd May he has an interview on the same channel in the health magazine "Puls“ (9.05 p.m.). Finally, on 26th and 27th June, art lover Djerassi will be present in Berne to witness the inauguration of the Paul Klee Centre.