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In big bang nucleosynthesis (BBN), the deuterium-tritium (DT) fusionreaction, D(T,n)$\alpha$, enhanced by the 3/2$^+$ resonance, is responsible for99% of primordial $^4$He. This has been known for decades and has been welldocumented in the scientific literature. However, following the traditionadopted by authors of learned articles, it was stated in a matter-of-factmanner and not emphasized; for most people, it has remained unknown. Thishelium became a source for the subsequent creation of $\geq$25% of the carbonand other heavier elements and, thus, a substantial fraction of our humanbodies. (To be more precise than $\geq$25% will require future simulationstudies on stellar nucleosynthesis.)  Also, without this resonance, controlled fusion energy would be beyond reach.For example, for inertial confinement fusion (ICF), laser energy delivery forthe National Ignition Facility (NIF) would have to be approximately 70 timeslarger for ignition.  Because the resonance enhances the DT fusion cross section a hundredfold, wepropose that the 3/2$^+$ $^5$He excited state be referred to as the "Bretscherstate" in honor of the Manhattan Project scientist who discovered it, inanalogy with the well-known 7.6 MeV "Hoyle state" in $^{12}$C that allows forthe resonant 3$\alpha$ formation.

DT fusion through the $^5$He $3/2+$ "Bretscher state" accounts for $\ge  25\%$ of our existence via nucleosynthesis and for the possibility of fusion  energy