EVIDENCE OF ACADEMIC EXPERTISE
Professor Brian J. Morris
Brian Morris’ academic expertise extends to several different fields of medical research. Here his
contributions to topics with a direct bearing on public health are documented. These include male
circumcision and healthy diet. His other major contributions, not documented here, are to the molecular
basis of hypertension and factors involved in cardiovascular regulation, as well as core molecular
biology and cancer.
1. CIRCUMCISION
History
Prof Morris became involved in this field in 1994 after being invited to give a talk to the Fellowship of
Jewish Doctors on the role of male circumcision in prevention of sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
Morris is neither Jewish, nor religious. The invitation was extended by Dr Eric Wegman who was aware
of Morris’ research since the mid-1980s on developing tests to detect high risk types of human
papillomavirus (HPV), which cause cervical cancer, and where Morris maintains an interest to this day,
helping Australian industry bring HPV tests for cervical screening to the market [pub 243]. His early
work brought him in to contact with Sydney STD (now ‘STI’) Centre at Sydney Hospital and the Taylor
Square Clinic in order to obtain samples from high-risk (HPV-infected) women. His knowledge of STIs
broadened when he presented his findings at the Second World Congress on Sexually Transmitted
Diseases in 1986 [Morris BJ, Henderson BR, Thompson C, Rose B, Cossart YE (1986) Specific
detection of anal/genital papilloma viral DNA. Second World Congress on Sexually Transmitted
Diseases held in Paris, 25-28 June 1986]. There was already evidence that cervical cancer was more
common in women with uncircumcised male sexual partners, but a large research study published in the
Lancet in the late 1980s linking lack of circumcision to a greatly increased risk of HIV infection further
roused his interest in the health benefits conferred by this procedure.
Internet review
After his talk in 1994, which required him to conduct an extensive literature search, he was asked to
write it up for publication [Fellowship of Jewish Doctors of NSW Inc Newsletter 1995,14 (3) (Suppl):
pp 1-9]. He then posted the text on the internet. This internet review has grown over the years in concert
with increases in research findings and is a valuable resource, and is now the biggest review on male
circumcision in the world. It is ranked highly on a google search by ‘circumcision’. The url is
http://www.circinfo.net. This site and his publications on the topic placed him in conflict with
organizations opposed to circumcision.
Book
A publisher, University of New South Wales Press, aware of the popularity of his website, invited him
to write a book, which was published in 1999 with the title they chose of ‘In Favour of Circumcision’.
The book has sold well and is held by many public libraries.
Publications
Morris has been invited to write reviews [pubs 250, 262], and has published other papers on
circumcision in medical scientific journals [234, 243, 246] as well as Letters to the Editor criticizing the
falsehoods published by anti-circumcision proponents [206, 216, 239, 240, 245, 256, 261]. The most
recent one [261] was a critique of a 2007 meta-analysis by a renowned anti-circumcision activist,
Robert Van Howe, in Int J STD AIDS, in which much of the data used was shown to be fictitious. All of
Van Howe’s papers have been criticized by various experts for their erroneous statistics, but this
instance serves to illustrate how far at least this member of the anti-circumcision movement will go in
their campaign of propaganda and emotive, deceptive and erroneous statements on the issue of
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circumcision. Morris has also been invited to referee various manuscripts on circumcision submitted for
publication to international medical scientific journals. Throughout, true to his profession as an
academic, Morris has promoted a scientific message and stance when it comes to circumcision.
Chapter in large international book on STIs
In recognition as being an expert internationally, Morris was invited to write the chapter on
circumcision for a book on STIs. The Editor, in Germany, accepted it outright and it is now with the
publisher. The authors of each chapter read as an international 'who's who' in the STI field and
include three Australians, all from The University of Sydney (the others being Professors Tony
Cunningham and Adrian Mindel).
Brochures
Prof Morris was invited in 2005 by the Professor of Paediatric Surgey at Sydney Children’s Hospital
Westmead to produce a leaflet to inform parents about circumcision. The final text was arrived at after
Morris circulated the initial draft to other experts internationally for extensive review. A publisher in
London then produced a professional brochure with helpful diagrams. The outcome thus involved an
international collaboration at the highest level to get the best result. An American version was then
produced, followed by German, French and Chinese translations. These have proven popular with
medical practitioners and others seeking reliable information to help in providing advice, and especially
for parents on making this decision for their infant boy. Next, a brochure for men was produced. Then,
following a request by Prof Bertran Auvert after the ‘Circumcision’ session Morris chaired at the 4th
International AIDS Society conference in 2007, a brochure tailored for women was generated.
Importantly, the title and cover picture were developed by an (American) woman in Scotland. All of
these brochures can be downloaded from www.circinfo.net.
Book caption
Part of Morris’ review of the book ‘Ed Schoen, MD, on Circumcision. Timely Information for Parents
and Professionals from America’s #1 Expert on Circumcision’ RDR Books, Berkeley, California, 2005,
appeared on the front cover, as follows: “Dr Edgar Schoen’s new book is a fair, honest and insightful
account of the extensive health benefits of this simple procedure. It is so good to have an authoritative
book like this to turn to. Dr. Brian J. Morris, School of Medical Sciences, University of Sydney.”
Critical comment invitations
Morris is consulted by other academics for document drafting, critical reviews of published works and
manuscripts submitted to international journals, etc.
RACP Policy Statements on Circumcision
Prof Morris provided supportive invited comments on the Australian College of Paediatrics Policy
Statement on Circumcision in 1995, which was evidence-based. The College was subsequently
absorbed into the RACP as its Division of Paediatrics and Child Health. The next Policy Statement on
Circumcision (in 2002) was not evidence-based, and the text was changed little in 2004, despite
suggestions for improvement by Morris. It seemed the authors had decided first on the conclusion they
wanted and then assembled selected evidence around their (false) premise. This is the antithesis of
evidence-based medicine and its teaching and research. Prof Morris published an extensive peerreviewed critique of this document in the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health in
2006 [pub 234]. The RACP responded by acknowledging the policy statement was wrong and set up a
new committee that involved an expert on public health policy (Prof Steve Leeder, Australian Health
Policy Institute), rather than relying entirely on the paediatricians. Morris assisted in this process as best
he could as an outsider. Astoundingly, the draft of the new document, including the all-important
Summary that most people will read and the conclusion, written by the paediatricians was an erroneous,
biased polemic that is completely at odds with the published, peer-reviewed medical and scientific
evidence. It seems to have been sourced from the propaganda of the anti-circ movement and is at odds
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with the public health sections later in the statement, so making the document lack cohesion. A
perspective on the anti-circumcision influence in the document can be seen at
http://www.circinfo.net/anti_circumcision_lobby_groups.html
Morris wrote a draft NHMRC Policy Statement on Circumcision. This remains in need of a
committee and procedural directive from the NHMRC in order to progress to a document that will
provide a benefit to the community.
Talks
Over the years Prof Morris has given a number of invited talks and seminars on circumcision to various
audiences both medical and lay. These are listed later.
Academic liason within profession
Morris is known to academics around the world who are experts on circumcision, and he has met many
in person during his travels, including Edgar Schoen (twice), Daniel Halperin (when in San Francisco
and later at Harvard), Bob Bailey (Univ. of Illinois), Sam Kunin (Los Angeles), Bertran Auvert
(France), Gerald Weiss (Colorado), and Jeff Klausner (San Francisco). He is in regular contact with
these and many others, some of whom a co-authors on his publications. Expert colleagues in Australia
include Prof Roger Short at University of Melbourne, Dr Alex Wodak at St Vincents Hospital, Sydney,
A/Prof Guy Cox at University of Sydney, Dr Terry Russell in Brisbane, and Prof Steve Leeder, Director
of the Australian health Policy Institute.
News media
Morris is well-known to the news media as an expert on circumcision, and is contacted frequently for
interviews (see extensive list later for newspaper, magazine, television and radio interviews and other
contributions to public dissemination of information on circumcision).
Concluding comment
His interests in circumcision are purely academic. Morris is a conservative heterosexual, middle-aged
male who is married with two children.
2. DIET AND HEALTH
History
Prof Morris’ general interest in public health began with diet and lifestyle when a teenager in Adelaide,
starting with a lecture he attended by an American, Lelord Kordell, to promote his book ‘Eat Right and
Live Longer’. His reading on a healthy diet led him to apply the information to his own dietary choices.
Attitudes being as they were back in the mid 1960s led to him being persecuted by his peers for his
application of such knowledge. He was also a teetotaller, remaining so until he had completed his PhD,
relenting during a visit to Paris with a fellow PhD student who was a wine buff. Morris’ diet has always
evolved in accordance with progress in scientific knowledge on what is optimal for good health.
Morris was a vegetarian for a time and then, in the USA, information from his first wife about the
benefits of fish, caused him to include this as well. His dietary preferences were modified over the years
as new research findings emerged, so that now he might be regarded as a piscatarian a.k.a. vegaquarium
(= vegan + seafood diet). At age 26, he developed severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA). When, years later,
new research showed the benefit of eliminating animal fats and replacing these with fish oil and olive
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oil he modified his diet accordingly, with beneficial results. This demonstrates his approach in applying
scientific information.
A personal interest becomes an academic one
Conferences organized:
In 2002 Prof Morris initiated the first ‘Life Extension Symposium’. The objective of this full-day
event with 12 speakers was to provide sound advice from academic experts in Sydney on matters of diet
and lifestyle. He organized the speakers and secured a personal bank loan to pay for it. His wife assisted
with all financial and registration matters. He applied to and obtained approval from the RACGP to
award continuing professional development (CPD) points to general practitioners (GPs) for attendance.
Morris also arranged for sponsors and a trade display. The event was held on a Saturday. It proved very
popular and led to numerous requests to organize another in the following year. In doing so Morris
expanded the event to Melbourne and Brisbane, the 3 symposia being held on succeeding Saturdays. An
overseas invited speaker was secured, paid for by Morris himself. This speaker presented new data
showing the effect of synthetic catalytic scavengers on health and lifespan. An important aim of the
Symposia was to dispel myths that were being foisted on GPs, such as by those who were promoting
growth hormone for anti-ageing. As part of this he arranged a head-to-head debate between the
President of the Endocrine Society of Australia and a prominent GP who ran an anti-ageing clinic and
who was a book author. The symposium in Sydney in 2003 was filmed professionally and Morris
oversaw and directed all of the postproduction to a professional DVD. This included two full days of
work in a professional studio. A graphic artist was engaged by Morris to do the cover design. Morris
also had a professional audio tape made of the symposium in Brisbane and was involved in postproduction for this too, in another studio. The cover was again designed professionally. The set of
DVDs and CDs were distributed widely, mostly upon request.
The educational model Morris created in these symposia was developed further in subsequent years in
the form of the International Conferences on Healthy Ageing and Longevity. He became a Member
of the Council. These have been very successful, with the top names from around the world invited to
speak, all expenses paid, thanks to the largess of the Weller family, who took on the role of organizers.
Architectural plans have been produced for the International Research Centre on Healthy Ageing and
Longevity to be constructed near Byron Bay. John Weller has organized a meeting at the UN in New
York in March 2009. UN involvement in all of these conferences and further information can be
obtained from the website: http://www.longevity-international.com
Laboratory research and publications:
Prof Morris’ research led him to become a molecular biologist and molecular geneticist, setting up the
first recombinant DNA Lab on the campus of The University of Sydney. These interests led him to
follow new research as it began to emerge in the past decade or so that started to explain the molecular
basis of ageing and the way dietary constituents such as polyphenols affect intracellular pathways and
gene expressions so as to modulate health of the cell and thus the whole organism. He became intrigued
by the ability of such interventions to affect lifespan. Previously, calorie restriction had been known to
increase length of life, but the new data started to show the molecular mechanisms. Morris has
generated journal and book chapter publications directly related to diet, ageing and longevity. The first
of these followed an invitation to write a review on longevity several years ago and to describe the new
molecular findings [pub 227]. This turned out to be the most downloaded article for that particular
journal in that year, apart from a clinical guidelines article for the diagnosis and treatment of
hypertension, the latter being the most downloaded article in the entire biomedical literature for that
year. Other invitations to write or contribute with others for publications in journals and books followed
[pubs 229, 241, 254, 255, 258, 264]. He has also been interviewed and asked to comment on drafts of
manuscripts for other books by various Australian authors such as Carol O’Halloran, Kate Marie and
Sophie Scott.
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Morris has submitted grant applications to carry out research on the effects of the potent polyphenol,
resveratrol, on a human cell model of ageing, namely dermal fibroblasts, sourced from neonatal
foreskins supplied by another Lab in his building. This work also involved gene expression profiling
using microarrays. The initial findings from the pilot project, carried out by his Honours student in 2005
have been published [pub 249]. He continues to seek funding to extend this by using whole genome
arrays and is also seeking funding to study the effects of resveratrol on genome-wide gene expression in
various tissues of a spontaneously hypertensive mouse strain. NHMRC funding to study expression
profiles in the hypothalamus has been awarded for 2009–2011 in collaboration with the best
radiotelemetry Lab in Australia, that of Prof Geoff Head at the Baker Heart Research Institute,
Melbourne, where the physiological measurements will be made.
Undergraduate teaching:
Prof Morris lectures on ageing and longevity to 3rd year science and medical science students. These are
available on-line:
http://www.physiol.usyd.edu.au/teaching/Lectures/Heart%20and%20Circulation.html
The slides can be viewed by downloading the powerpoint show at the bottom of:
http://www.physiol.usyd.edu.au/~brianm/
News media
Prof Morris is often contacted by the news media and magazine writers and interviewed on the topic of
health and diet. In response to the announcement in 2005 that because of the obesity epidemic children
today would not live as long as their parents, Prof Morris suggested at a press conference preceding the
ICHAL meeting in Brisbane that a tax should be levied on junk food and the proceeds diverted to
subsidize healthy food. His comments followed an interview with Prof Jay Olshansky, an invited
speaker to the conference from the University of Chicago, and who was the lead author on a paper that
had just appeared in New England Journal of Medicine that used modelling to demonstrate the
implications of the childhood obesity epidemic. Morris was asked whether their findings might apply to
Australia and gave this practical suggestion, which was then followed up over the years by other
medical and academic commentators.
General comment
Prof Morris’ entire research career, which began in 1970, has involved cardiovascular disease, in
particular hypertension. He is currently, or has in the past, been on editorial boards of the two top
hypertension journals in the world (Hypertension and Journal of Hypertension). He has been a member
of the High Blood Pressure Research Council of Australia (HBPRCA) since inception in 1978 and has
attended every conference over the past 30 years. He has served two separate 6-year terms on the
Executive Committee of HBPRCA, and is currently the Treasurer. His publications on the biochemistry,
endocrinology, pathophysiology, molecular biology and molecular genetics of hypertension and related
conditions are extensive with at least 200 papers on these topics, many in the very best journals in the
world. Overall he has over 260 publications.
THE NEXT PAGES LIST PUBLICATIONS AND DOCUMENT THE
OTHER CONTRIBUTIONS OF BRIAN MORRIS TO DISSEMIANTION
OF HEALTH MESSAGES
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PUBLICATIONS
What follows are only papers related to the subject areas relevant most directly to health and
circumcision.
Publications on Circumcision
18 publications
ARTICLES IN REFEREED JOURNALS
234.
Morris BJ, Bailis SA, Castellsague X, Wiswell TE, Halperin DT. RACP’s policy statement on
infant male circumcision is ill-conceived. ANZ J Publ Hlth 2006; 30: 16-22
243.
Morris BJ, Rose BR. Cervical screening in the 21st century: The case for human papillomavirus
testing of self-collected specimens. (Review) Clin Chem Lab Med 2007: 45: 577-591.
246.
Morris BJ, Waskett J, Bailis SA. Case number and the financial impact of circumcision in
reducing prostate cancer. BJU Int 2007: 100: 5-6.
250.
Morris BJ. Why circumcision is a biomedical imperative for the 21st century. (Invited review)
BioEssays 2007: 29: 1147-1158
INVITED
265.
Waskett JH, Morris BJ. (Close to completion for submission shortly)
BOOK
Morris BJ. In Favour of Circumcision. UNSW Press. ISBN 0-86840-537-X (104 pages) INVITED
CHAPTER IN BOOK
262.
Morris BJ, Castellsague X. The role of circumcision in preventing STIs. Gross GE, Tyring S, eds.
Sexually Transmitted Diseases. Springer, Heidelberg. 2008: accepted INVITED
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR OF JOURNALS
206.
Morris BJ. [Critique of:] Circumcision for phimosis and other medical indications. Med J Aust
2003; 178: 588-589
216.
Morris BJ, Bailis SA. Circumcision rate too low? ANZ J Surg 2004; 74: 386-387
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239.
Morris BJ, Castellsague X, Bailis SA. Re: Cost analysis of neonatal circumcision in a large
health maintenance organization. E. J. Schoen, C. J. Colby and T. T. To. J Urol, 175: 1111-1115,
2006. J Urol 2006; 176: 2315-2316
240.
Morris BJ. Circumcision in Australia: prevalence and effects on sexual health. Int J STD AIDS
2007: 18: 69-70
245.
Waskett JH, Morris BJ. Fine-touch pressure thresholds in the adult penis. BJU Int 2007; 99:
1551-1552
256.
Waskett J, Morris BJ. Re: ‘RS Van Howe, FM Hodges. The carcinogenicity of smegma:
debunking a myth.’ An example of myth- and mythchief-making? J Eur Acad Dermatol
Venereol 2008; 22: 101-136
261.
Morris BJ, Halperin DH, Klausner J. Cut! New Scientist 2008; (2670): 20-21
260.
Wamai RG, Weiss HA, Hankins C, Agot K, Karim QA, Shisana O, Bailey RC, Betukumesu B,
Bongaarts J, Bowa K, Cash R, Cates W, Diallo MO, Dludlu S, Geffen N, Heywood M, Jackson
H, Kayembe PK, Kapiga S, Kebaabetswe P, Kintaudi L, Klausner JD, Leclerc-Madlala S,
Mabuza K, Makhubele MB, Miceni K, Morris BJ, de Moya A, Ncala J, Ntaganira I,
Nyamucherera OF Otolorin EO, Pape JW, Phiri M, Rees H, Ruiz M, Sanchez J, Sawires S,
Seloilwe ES, Serwadda DM, Setswe G, Sewankambo N, Simelane D, Venter F, Wilson D,
Woelk G, Zungu N, Halperin DT. Male circumcision is an efficacious, lasting and cost-effective
strategy for combating HIV in high-prevalence AIDS epidemics: Time to move beyond debating
the science. Future HIV Ther 2008; 2: 399-405
262.
Waskett JH, Morris BJ, Weiss HA. Errors in meta-analysis by Van Howe. Int J STD AIDS 2008:
accepted 19/08/08
ARTICLES IN SCHOLARLY MAGAZINES
247.
Morris BJ. An old protector mandated – circumcision. HPV Today 2007; (13): 12-13.
251.
Morris BJ. Circumcision facts trump anti-circ fiction. The Skeptic 2007; 27 (4): 52-56
259.
Morris BJ. Circumcision: who should you believe? The Skeptic 2008: 28 (2): 55-58
IMPACT FACTORS OF JOURNALS FOR PUBLICATIONS ON CIRCUMCISION
Articles: BioEssays 6.0, BJU Int 2.6, Clin Chem Lab Med 1.7, Aust NZ J Publ Hlth 1.2,
Letters to the Editor: J Urol 4.0, Med J Aust 2.6, J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 1.5, Int J STD AIDS
1.3,
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Publications on Diet, Health and Ageing
INVITED PAPERS IN REFEREED JOURNALS
227.
Morris BJ. A forkhead in the road to longevity: the molecular basis of lifespan becomes clearer.
[Invited Review] J Hypertens. 2005: 23: 1285-1309 (Top download for this journal in 2005 apart
from a clinical guidelines article that was the most downloaded article for the entire biomedical
literature in that year) [INVITED]
229.
Everitt AV, Hilmer SN, Brand-Miller JC, Jamieson HA, Truswell AS, Sharma AP, Mason RS,
Morris BJ, Le Couteur DG. Dietary approaches that delay age-related diseases. Clin Intervent
Aging 2005; 1: 11-31 [INVITED]
241.
Morris BJ. Climate not cultivars in the NO-ing of red wines. (Editorial) [INVITED] J Hypertens
2007; 25: 501-503
249.
Stefani M, Markus MA, Lin RCY, Pinese M, Dawes IA, Morris BJ. The effect on resveratrol on
a cell model of human aging. Ann NY Acad Sci 2007: 1114: 407-418. [INVITED]
258.
Markus MA, Morris BJ. Resveratrol in prevention and treatment of common clinical conditions
of ageing. Clin Intervent Ageing 2008: 3: 331-339. [INVITED]
INVITED CHAPTERS IN BOOKS
254.
Morris BJ. How xenohormetic compounds confer health benefits. In: Le Bourg E, Rattan SIS
(eds). Mild Stress: Applying Hormesis in Aging Research and Interventions. Springer,
Netherlands. 2008: pp 115–138. [INVITED]
255.
Abete P, Calabrese E, Ji LL, Kristensen T, Le Bourg E, Loeschcke V, Morris B, Rengo F, Rattan
SIS, Safwat A, Sarup P, Sorensen J, Vaiserman AM. Mild stress and healthy aging: Perspectives
for human beings. In: Le Bourg E, Rattan SIS (eds), Mild Stress and Healthy Aging. Applying
Hormesis in Aging Research and Therapy. Springer, Netherlands. 2008, pp 171–183. [INVITED]
264.
Morris BJ, de Cabo R. Calorie restriction mimetics and ageing. Everitt AE, Rattan S, Le Couteur
D (eds). Calorie Restriction and Ageing – The Latest. Springer. – in preparation. [INVITED]
Impact factors of the particular journals above:
J Hypertens 4.0, Ann NY Acad Sci 1.9, Clin Intervent Ageing – none yet (journal is new).
On-line Internet Review on Circumcision
Morris BJ. Circumcision: An Evidence-Based Appraisal. Medical, Health and Sexual.
http://www.circinfo.net approx. 100 pages and 660 references; last updated to early 2008
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On-line debate
http://www.opposingviews.com (USA) 2008 (INVITED)
Brochures on Circumcision
‘Circumcision: A guide for parents’ by Professor Brian Morris
‘Circumcision: A guide for parents’ (US version)
‘Beschneidung: Ein Ratgeber Für Eltern’ Prof Dr BJ Morris [German version]
‘La Circoncision: conseils aux parents’ Le professeur Brian Morris [French version]
‘Have you heard about the benefits of Circumcision?’ A guide for men (and teens) by the world’s
leading academic experts on this topic’
‘Sex and Circumcision. What every woman needs to know’
(Note: Please see last page of each brochure for the list of international experts who scrutinized drafts
rigorously in order to achieve an accurate consensus text for each of these brochures.)
Conference proceedings and abstracts
O, oral; P, poster; I, invited
362. Morris BJ. Longevity: the evidence and challenged for “healthy ageing”. 2003 Life Extension
Symposium, Brisbane 24 May 2002, pp 5-12
I/O
402. Pinese M, Morris BJ, Williams RBH, Dawes IW, Lin RCY. Identification of elements of the
sirtuin-dependent regulon in human cells. 5th Australian Microarray Conference, Barossa Valley,
SA, 30 Sep-1 Oct 2005. p5
P
ink4a
408. Stefani M, Markus MA, Pinese M, Lin RCY, Morris BJ. Resveratrol affects p16
, RAC3 and
RasGRF1 in cultured mortal human fibroblasts. The Genome Conference 2006, Lorne, Vic., 12-15
Feb, 109, p 67
P
419. Morris BJ, Stefani M, Lin RCY, Markus MA, Dawes IA. Resveratrol induces expression of
genes beneficial to health of human fibroblasts in culture. 21st Scientific Meeting of the
International Society for Hypertension, 15-19 Oct 2006, Fukuoka, Japan. PO4-134, p. 394
P
433. Morris BJ. Life-span: molecular mechanisms and modulation. ComBio2007, Sydney, 22-26 Sep
2007, SYM-46-01
I/O
435. Morris BJ, Stefani M, Markus MA, Pinese M, Lin RCY, Dawes IW. Resveratrol induces
expression of genes beneficial to health in mortal human fibroblasts in culture. Proceedings of the
Australian Society for Medical Research, 46th National Scientific Conference, Katoomba NSW,
11–13 Nov 2007, abstract 121, p 52
P
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Invited Plenary Conference presentation on the topic of CIRCUMCISION
1997: Eighth Advanced Course in Obstetrics: Women’s Reproductive Health and Care of the
Newborn, Royal Australian College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, Sydney. [INVITED]
Seminars
On circumcision (C) and diet (D)
To Fellowship of Jewish Doctors (C); Counsellors, Family Planning NSW, Ashfield (C); Jewish
Doctors’ Association (C); Sydney STI Centre, Sydney Hospital (C); Bosch Institute (D); National
Tertiary Education Union, Univ. of Sydney (C); others
OTHER CONTRIBUTIONS TO PUBLIC HEALTH (ONLY)
Lectures
Ageing (Longevity: Molecular Mechanisms and Modulation) in Heart & Circulation unit of study in
Physiology 3008 to BSc and BMedSc 3rd year students (2 lectures). To listen to these lectures go to:
http://www.physiol.usyd.edu.au/teaching/Lectures/Heart%20and%20Circulation.html
Circumcision and STIs to Master of Public Health students (1 lecture).
University Committee
Member, Board of Nutrition and Dietetics (1983-88).
Official for Scientific Societies, including for National and International
Conferences – as relevant
• Initiator and Organizer: ‘Life Extension Symposium’ (full day)
- 16 Mar 2002, Univ. of Sydney
- 10 May 2003, Univ. of Melbourne
- 17 May 2003, Univ. of Sydney
- 24 May 2003, Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre
• Member of Council, International Conference on Healthy Ageing and Longevity
- 5-7 Mar 2004, Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre
- 18-20 Mar 2005, Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre
- 28-30 Apr 2006, Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre
• Member of the Executive of the High Blood Pressure Research Council of Australia (1995–2001 and
2005–present); currently serving as the Treasurer.
• National Member, Programme Committee for 15th International Society of Hypertension Meeting
(2421 abstracts submitted; accepted: 180 oral, 1200 poster). This meeting was awarded 'Conference
of the Year' for Australia in 1994.
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Editorial Boards of Scientific Journals:
• Hypertension (An Official Journal of the American Heart Association): 1980-83; 2002-present
• Journal of Hypertension (Official Journal of the International Society of Hypertension): 2003-2007
• Hypertension Research: 1993-95
Reviewer for manuscripts, grants, conference abstract, theses
Session Chair at International Conferences (on these topics only)
Convenor, Welcome and Closing remarks, Life Extension Symposium, Univ. of Sydney 2002
Session Chair – 1st International Conference on Longevity, Sydney 2004
Session Chair – 2nd International Conference on Healthy Ageing and Longevity, Brisbane: 2005
Session Chair – 3rd International Conference on Healthy Ageing and Longevity, Melbourne 2006
Session Chair – Male Circumcision: The Cutting Edge of HIV Prevention. 4th International AIDS
Society Conference, Darling Harbour, Sydney, 22-25 July 2007.
To view this session, including my comments from the Chair go to:
http://www.kaisernetwork.org/health_cast/hcast_index.cfm?display=detail&hc=2249
Consultancies
World Health Organization (WHO). Invited to comment on draft document ‘Male circumcision:
Global trends and determinants of prevalence, safety and acceptability’
http://www.who.int/hiv/topics/malecircumcision/MC_Glob_Trends_Dets_Final.pdf
(See p 5 for my name).
Health and Development Africa (HDA). Invited to be on Prevention Experts database. 2008
Letters to the Editor (magazines)
Morris BJ. A real slice of life. Men’s Style. Mar 2006, p 16
Morris BJ. A point well made. Men’s Style Spring-Summer 2008, issue #29, p 12
Letters to the Editor (newspapers)
Letter criticizing errors in Karl Kruszxelnick’s Mythconceptions column in Good Weekend Magazine
(Fairfax newspapers: Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, Hobart Mercury.) 31 Jan 2004
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Misleading. Wentworth Courier 20 Sep 2006 p 36
In Monograph
Sophie Scott. Live a Longer Life. The scientific secrets for health and wellbeing at any age. ABC
Books, Sydney 2007
In Magazine Articles
(on circumcision or diet/longevity)
1999
Canberra Doctor Apr 1999 p4
Practical Parenting mid 1999 pp42-44
FHM July 1999 p120
Australian Medicine 5 Jul 1999 p 18 (book review by Dr T Russell)
Venereology 12, no 2, 1999, pp 68-69 (book review by Dr B Donovan)
2004
‘The elixer of youth’. The Australian Financial Review Magazine, Feb 2004, pp 34-44
‘A snip in time’. Sunday Life magazine (Fairfax newspapers) Parenting section, 21 Mar 2004.
‘The first cut’. The Bulletin magazine, 26 Oct 2004, p 41.
‘How to live to 100 and do you really want to?’ Sunday Life magazine (Fairfax newspapers), Wellbeing
section, 5 Dec 2004, pp 22-27.
2005
‘The first cut’. Men’s Style magazine, Dec 2005, pp 118-121.
2006
Under the knife. Men’s Health vol 9 (9) Jul 2006 p 119
Australian Doctor 24 Feb 2006 p 16
2007
Australian Doctor 2 Mar 2007 p 4
Foreskin and against. Men’s Health July 2007 pp 101–105
News Media
In newspaper articles
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Expertise Evidence
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1995–1999 (7)
On circumcision:
Fellowship of Jewish Doctors of NSW Inc Newsletter 1995,14 (3) (Suppl): pp 1-9.
The Australian 1 Sep 1995 (photo with others) Weekend Review Features section pp 3-4.
Weekend Australian 13 Jun 1999
Sun-Herald Sun 25 Apr 1999 Tempo section p11; 26 Dec 1999 p21
Daily Telegraph (Sydney) 16 Feb 1996 p13 Agenda
The Age (Melbourne): 24 Apr Tempo section; 18-19 Apr 2003
The Australian Jewish News: (review of my book on circumcision) 5 Nov 1999
2004 (5)
‘Never say die’. Sydney Morning Herald, News Review, 6-7 Mar 2004, p 29.
‘Circumcision myths’. Sydney Morning Herald, 13 Apr 2004, p 4.
‘To cut or not to cut is still a vexed question’. West Australian, 31 Apr 2004.
‘Circumcision rates rise for some’. Sydney Morning Herald, Health & Science supplement, 30 Sep 2004,
p 3.
‘Circumcision confusion rife among teens’. Sydney Morning Herald, Health & Science supplement, 30
Sep 2004, p 3.
2005 (11)
‘Lifespan could be doubled’. Sunday Telegraph, 6 Mar 2005, p 17.
‘Cancer cells could be key to longer life’. Sunshine Coast Daily, 19 Mar 2005, p 16.
‘Cancer cells could hold key to immortality’. AAP Newswire, 18 Mar 2005.
‘Cancer may hold key to immortality’. MX (Melbounre), 18 Mar 2005, p 4.
‘Cancer clues to immortality’. Bernie Advocate, 18 Mar 2005, p 17.
‘Cancer could hold key to immortality’. Illawarra Mercury, 19 Mar 2005, p 23.
‘Cancer key to immortality’. Launceston Examiner, 19 Mar 2005, p 10.
‘Cancer key to living longer’. Border Mail, 19 Mar 2005, p 30.
‘Cancer offers clue to immortality’. West Australian, 19 Mar 2005, p 64.
‘Cancer – Key to longevity’. Courier Mail, 19 mar 2005, p 2.
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‘A sheath not always a protector’. Canberra Times – Health & Science supplement, 28 Nov 2005, pp 23.
2006 (5)
Natural way to a long life. Sunday Telegraph 19 Mar 2006 p20
Circumcision policy under fire. Australian Doctor 24 Feb 2006 p 5
Surgical success that’s been largely ignored (Piers Akerman). Sunday Telegraph 30 Apr 2006 p 77
Scientist uncorks secret to a long and healthy life. Sydney Morning Herald Thu 2 Nov 2006 p 3
Girls mutilated for ‘tradition’. Sunday Telegraph 5 Nov 2006 p 7
2007 (20)
Proof of circumcision, HIV protection. Australian Doctor 2 Mar 2007 p 4
Forever young. Weekend Financial Review 17–18 Mar 2007 pp 20–22
International Conference on Healthy Ageing and Longevity. Natural Health and Vegetarian Life
Autumn 2007 pp 34–36
Tampon test for cancer virus hits Australian market. AAP Newswire Mon 4 Jun 2007
Sydney Morning Herald on-line Mon 4 Jun 2007
DIY pap smears on trial. Taking the pain out of HPV tests. MX Sydney Mon 4 Jun 2007 p 1
DIY may replace pap test. MX Melbourne Mon 4 Jun 2007 p 5
DIY pap smears on trial. MX Brisbane Mon 4 Jun 2007 p 1
Home kit detects virus risk. Adelaide Advertiser Mon 4 Jun 2007 p 1
Doctors wary on cancer self test. Courier Mail Brisbane Mon 4 Jun 2007 p 9
Home test for HPV. The Australian 5 Jun 2007 p 5
At-home cervical cancer test approved. Canberra Times Tues 5 Jun 2007 p 4
Approval for DIY tampon test. Newcastle Herald Tues 5 Jun 2007 p 11
HPV “self-test” launched. Pharmacy Daily 5 Jun 2007 p 1
Cervical screening in the 21st century. HuliQ Tue 5 Jun 2007. http://www.huliq.com/23672/cervicalscreening-in-the-21st-century
Doctor gives a low down on ‘the chop’. Gold Coast Sun Wed 6 Jun 2007 p 18
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Doctors call for circumcision. Courier Mail Brisbane 7 Jul 2007
Circumcision bans leave parents in dark. The Australian 25–26 Aug 2007 p 3
Secrets of a well-aged red. The Age 27 Sep 2007 p 4
http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/secrets-of-a-wellaged-red/2007/09/23/1190486137337.html
On-line news
2005
Finding that circumcision reduces AIDS infections won’t end debate. CSNNEWS.COM, 21 Jul 2005
Circumcision including ‘Promote circumcision in the fight against AIDS, expert urges’.
CNSNEWS.COM, 14 Jul 2005, 29 Jul 2005, 5 Aug 2005, 8 Aug 2005
2008
Circumcision. The Nest baby (http://www.thenestbaby.com) pregnancy and parenting website. New
York. Feb 2008
Circumcision: back on the table. ABC Health & Wellbeing. The Pulse.
http://www.abc.net.au/health/thepulse/stories/2008/01/31/2150927.htm
On-line video news
2007 (2)
Sexperts: The latest in circumcision, Sydney Morning Herald and The Age website, from Jun 2007:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=5649779983463846214
Male Circumcision: The Cutting Edge of HIV Prevention. As Chair of 4th International AIDS Society
Conference, Sydney, 25 July 2007
http://www.kaisernetwork.org/health_cast/hcast_index.cfm?display=detail&hc=2249
Television
2004
Channel 9 ‘Mornings’ show, live studio interview with Kerri-Anne Kennerley on Benefits of
Circumcision, 9.30 am 12 Nov 2006
2005
Channel 10 Evening News, 17 Mar 2005 – Childhood obesity to reduce lifespan – I proposed a tax
on junkfood.
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ABC Channel 2 Evening News, 17 Mar 2005 Childhood obesity to reduce lifespan – I proposed a
tax on junkfood.
Channel 9 ‘A Current Affair’, 18 Mar 2005 (repeated in June) – I proposed a tax on junkfood (then
someone else follows up with same proposal in June).
2007 (36)
‘Today Tonight’ Channel 7, interview by Sheree Gibson 6.30 pm Tue 1 May 2007 – on circumcision
‘60 Minutes’ Channel 9, 26 Aug 2007 – on circumcision
Cervical screening by HPV test and self-sampling:
34 clips:
‘Today’ Show Channel 9 – Live studio interview with Karl Stefanovic and Lisa Wilkinson 8.15 am
Mon 4 Jun 2007
Sky News – Live studio interview at 3.15 pm Mon 4 Jun. A segment of this was repeated on each news
for the rest of the day, including evening news at 7.12 pm
Channel 9 news snippet of prerecorded interview broadcast in the regular news and 6 pm National Nine
News – from 4.30 pm to 11.49 pm (Nightline) Mon 4 Jun 2007
Channel 7 news 4.30 pm and 6 pm news Mon 4 Jun 2007
Channel Ten news from 5.00 pm news to late news at 10.30 pm Mon 4 Jun 2007
As follows for each State: Channels 7, 9, 10 Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth; Channel 9 Gold
Coast, Darwin; NBN Newcastle, Gosford, Tamworth; Imparja Broken Hill; Southern Cross, Hobart;
One Wellington NZ
‘Mornings’ with Kerrie-Anne Kennerley – Live studio interview 10.15 am Tue 5 Jun 2007:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5h6VtWAU_ws
Documentary for US television
Invited interview on circumcision – by Andrew Schussel in San Francisco for pilot documentary for
American television, 26 Jun 2008.
Radio
Those marked †† were on circumcision:
ABC (National: 20, 21 Sep 1983; 29 Nov 1993; †9 Feb 1994; ††6-7 pm 10 Aug 1999 [Australia Talks
Back]; ††9.45 am 20 Apr 2000 [Norman Swan]; ††2.15 pm 5 Nov 2003; 18 Mar 2005; Perth: 29 Nov
1993, †10 Feb 1994, *25 Oct 1994, ††4.30 pm 15 Apr 1999; Adelaide: †10 Feb 1994; Brisbane: †10 Feb
1994; Hobart: 3:25pm 4 Dec 1991, ††27 Jun, ††4 Jul 1994; Toowoomba: ††9.10 am 8 Apr 1999;
Newcastle/Taree: ††9 am 19 Apr 1999; 7 Dec 1999; 22.10 pm 12 Mar 2002; Illawarra (Wollongong):
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††9.30
am 19 Apr 1999; N Qld (Bundaberg) 2morning show 5 Apr 2005; Sydney: 1.05 pm 22 Jun 20052;
Darwin 10.15 am 27 Jun 20052. ABC JJJ (National) ††~10 am 12 May 1999 (feature show), 2GB (20,
22 Sep 1983; 9.10 pm 29 Apr 1992). 2SER (23 Sep 1983). 2UE (3 Dec 1991; †9 Feb 1994; ††9 Feb
1996; ††11.30 am 10 Apr 1999, Dr James Wright show). 2NC (9:10 am 4 Dec 1991). 2TN (†10 Feb
1994). 2WS (21 Sep 1983; 7am 4 Dec 1991; †9 Feb 1994). 2SM (22.15 15 Mar 2002). 2MMM (4 Dec
1991), 2-DAY (4 Dec 1991). 3AW (2210.05 am 18 Mar 2005). 4BC (22 Sep 1983; 29 pm 12 Mar 2002
Ian Reese programme; 223.10 pm 17 Mar 2005). 5AA (†11 Feb 1994; ††14 Feb 1994; *7 Oct 1994;
223.10 pm 21 Mar 2005). 5AD (†9 Feb 1994), 1323 (formerly 5AD)(††9 May 1994). 5DN (23 and 26
Sep 1983, ††9.50 am 12 Apr 1999, ††28 Mar 2000). 5UE (†11 Feb 1994). ††5MU (20 Jul 1994, 29 Aug
1995). 6PR (5:45pm 4 Dec 1991, ††10.40 am 14 Apr 1999 Howard Satler program, ††4 Apr 2003 12.05
pm, 229.20 am 13 Mar 2005). 7ZR (††10.30 am 27 Apr 1999); and other repeated broadcasts.
In more recent years:
2004
2GB, 13 Apr 2004, 4.30 pm on criticism of Karl Kruszelnicki on circumcision.
2005 (8)
6PR, 15 Mar 2005, 9.20 am on genes for longevity.
4BC, 17 Mar 2005, 3.10 pm on childhood obesity to reduce lifespan + tax on junkfood.
3AW, 18 Mar 2005, 10.05 am on childhood obesity to reduce lifespan + tax on junkfood.
ABC Radio national, 18 Mar 2005 on cancer genes and longevity.
5AA, 21 Mar 2005, 3.10 pm on childhood obesity + tax on junkfood.
ABC North Qld, Morning show, 5 Apr 2005 on childhood obesity + tax on junkfood.
ABC Sydney, 22 Jun 2005, 1.05 pm, on resveratrol and longevity
ABC Darwin, 27 Jun 2005, 10.15 am, on resveratrol and longevity.
2006 (8)
World Hypertension Day (live interviews)
ABC Newcastle 11.40 Fri 12 May 2006
ABC Dubbo 3.15 Fri 12 May 2006
2GB 3.48 pm Fri 12 May 2006
2SM 8.10 pm Fri 12 May 2006
ABC Mid North Coast 3.30 Mon 15 May 2006
Eastside Radio 89.7 FM 4.30 Mon 15 May 2006
2SER 9.30 am Thu 18 May
2007 (47)
Cervical screening by HPV test and self-sampling
Mon 4 Jun 2007 – 42 pieces:
2GB 9.00, 12.00, 1.00, 2.00, 3.00 news
2GB Newcastle 10.00 news
2SM 6.00 news
2DAY 4.00, 5.00, 6.00 news
2MIX 6.00 news
Triple M Sydney 1.00 news
2WS news
2GO FM 4.00 news
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NOVA 96.9 2.00 news
Vega 95.3 FM
MIX FM Sydney, Melbourne
3AW 4.00 news
3 FOX 4.00 news
4KQ 11.00 news
V105 MMM Brisbane
4TO FM Townsville 11.00, 12.00 news
4NOVA 4.00 news
4LM Mt Isa 12.30 news
Gold FM 12.00 news
C FM Toowoomba
5SAA 4.00, 5.00, 6.00 news
5ADD 6.00 news
5MMM Adelaide 2.00, 5.00, 6.00 news
SA FM
6PR Perth 11.20, 3.00 news
98.5 FM Perth 12.00 news
MIX 94.5 FM Perth 12.00 news
7TTT 3.00 news
SEA FM Tas 2.00, 3.00, 6.00 news
ABC FM 6 Jun 2007
The Wire national current affairs Fri 8 Jun 2007
Ageing (interviews re talk at ComBio conference)
ABC 891 Adelaide 2.00 news 25 Sep 2007 2007
ABC 702 Sydney ‘Drive’ show with Richard Glover 4.06 pm 25 Sep 2007
ABC 774 Melbourne 21:00 news 25 Sep 2007
Circumcision and Vic Government
SBS radio news 13 Aug 2007
Circumcision and SA/NT Government
ABC 105.7 Darwin 6.45 pm Tue 13 Nov 2007
2008
Circumcision – broadcast in German in Germany (by Vivien Marx in New York) 7 Jan 2008:
http://www.br-online.de/umwelt-gesundheit/artikel/0701/06-beschneidung-maenner/index.xml
Circumcision. Radio Australia (by Sen Lam) 5 Feb
2008http:www.radioaustralia.net.au/connectasia/stories/s2154727.htm
Relevant Award
'Scroll of Honour' Australia Day Award 2007 to Prof BJ Morris from Waverley Council
(For service to the community and to medical research, including public health, citing health promotion
including diet & lifestyle, cervical screening, and circumcision.)
Other awards have been made to Brian Morris for his other academic achievements.
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