Sir David John Weatherall (9 March 1933 – 8 December 2018)[2] was a British physician and researcher in molecular genetics, haematology, pathology and clinical medicine.

After house staff training, he joined the Army for 2 years, as part of the national service and was stationed in Singapore.

His research concentrated on the genetics of the haemoglobinopathies and, in particular, a group of inherited haematological disorders known as the thalassemias that are associated with abnormalities in the production of globin, the protein component of haemoglobin.

Weatherall was one of the world's experts on the clinical and molecular basis of the thalassemias and the application for their control and prevention in developing countries.

[citation needed] In 1992, he assumed the most prestigious chair, that of Regius Professor of Medicine, which he held until retirement.

[citation needed] In 2009, a working group report under Weatherall's Chairmanship concluded that there was a strong scientific case to maintain biomedical research activities using non-human primates in carefully selected areas.