Human retina – A history of biological research and the development of genetic engineering

Abstract

AbstractThe development of genetic engineering (also called genetic modification) started in the 40‐ties of the 19th c. After the Second World War the rapid process that used laboratory‐based technologies to conduct researches on cells, tissues, alter the DNA makeup of an organism and virus become the basis of modern paradigm of medical sciences. This was the culminating point of the process, which is sometimes called “the war against diseases”. One of the most successful moments was the creation of vaccines by combining genetic engineering research with research on viruses. It was a time of scientific optimism. For the first time in human history people could get the knowledge of aetiology of diseases, could fight them and protect themselves against infection. Its seems that the development of medical sciences could serve mankind, therefore there should be no limits as to its development. This optimism was not hindered by Nazists medical experimentations performed during the Second World War. However, The main ethical questions about the limits of medical science and human biological material research were left unanswered. The development of genetic engineering gave rise to questions on legalization of abortion, euthanasia, and transplantology. From 60‐ties to 90‐ties of the 20th century, large‐scale research began on diploid cells of fetal origin. All these events have called for discussion in the bioethics community and the question of the limits to which medical sciences can be pushed.Key word: history of genetic engineering, cell biology, history of human biological material research.