A short general history of the MRC

Introduction
A dictionary (Collins, 1994) describes research as "systematic investigation to establish facts or principles or to collect information on a subject". In terms of medical research as a mission, this is not the whole meaning.

As described by Professor J. F. Brock (in A History of Scientific Endeavour in South Africa) "Medical research must, to justify the name, be consciously directed towards an end - the alleviation or cure of human illness and its ultimate prevention. It is basically a field of applied research".

The first MRC Board 1969

It was to comply with the fuller definition that the South African Medical Research Council (MRC) was established in terms of Acts of Parliament (No's 19 of 1969 and 58 of 1991). Its most important functions were defined as "to promote the improvement of the health and the quality of life of the population of the Republic and to perform other such functions as may be assigned to the MRC by or under this Act". Such 'improvement' was to be attained "through research, development and technology transfer".

The affairs of the MRC, subject to the condition implicit in the terms of its establishment, were to be managed by a Board that would determine the Council's policy and objectives. The Board, appointed by the Minister of Health, was to consist of a Chairman; between 12 and 14 members who had distinguished themselves in medical science or a related science; two additional members and a President. The President was himself a Board member appointed to the additional post by the Board. Initially, the posts of President and Chairman ('Chairperson' came later) were combined in one person.

The MRC was funded solely by an annual government grant with no initial provision for the acceptance of funds from other sources, and was to co-ordinate medical research within the country and to determine the distribution of the government funding for such research. A large degree of autonomy appeared to be visualised, but in terms of the legislation, the Minister of Health could exercise direction.

The establishment of the MRC was a landmark in the field of scientific research in South Africa. The first members of the Council were Professor A. J. Brink (President and Chairman), Dr J. J. Theron (Vice-President and Chief Executive Officer), Professor T. H. Bothwell, Dr J. de Beer, Professor C. J. Dreyer, Dr J. H. S. Gear, Professor B. C. Jansen, Professor C. R. Jansen, Professor A. Kipps, Professor H. L. Krige, Professor J. H. Louw, Dr S. Meiring Naud‚, Professor S. F. Oosthuizen and Major General E. C. Raymond (Secretary, Department of Health).

Initial headquarters of the new group were at Scientia, which was the research centre of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) near Pretoria. The MRC, however, being an autonomous body, had no formal connection with the CSIR, and submitted its Annual Report to Parliament, as it does still.