FROM THE A.M. GORKII ALL-UNION INSTITUTE OF EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE TO THE IDEA OF ORGANIZATION OF THE ACADEMY OF MEDICAL SCIENCES OF THE USSR (1932-1942)

Abstract

Te idea of establishment of the USSR Academy of medical sciences was advanced by I.V. Stalin in 1932 as alternative to organization of the All-Union institute of experimental medicine. However, instead of the USSR Academy of medical sciences the All-Union institute of experimental medicine was established as the USSR highest research institution in the field of medical and biological sciences. The All-Union institute of experimental medicine, initially organized for resolving theoretical and practical problems of medicine, with time ceased to cope with its assignment. The main cause of dissatisfaction on part of the USSR government became its isolation from practical medicine, functioning of the USSR people's commissariat of health care and subordinated research institutes. The definitive loss of scientific authority of the All-Union institute of experimental medicine occurred after the beginning of the Great Patriotic War during its evacuation from Moscow in 1941 and re-evacuation in 1942. As a result, in the USSR government was developed concept of establishment of the Academy of medical sciences as an independent structure similar to the All-Union Academy of agricultural sciences, assigned to unify theoretical and applied medical science under single supervision. This issue together with fate of the All-Union institute of experimental medicine was considered in December 1942 at two sessions of the Board of the USSR people's commissariat of health care. Thereupon, the establishment of the USSR Academy of medical sciences was entrusted to the USSR people's commissariat of health care under consultative collaboration of administration of the All-Union institute of experimental medicine.