Impact of economic policy on the development of genetics in China

Abstract

Great progress in genetics has been achieved in China in the last 40 years. However, this branch of science had witnessed twists and turns during its development. In the early 1950s, as an effect of an international ideological trend and national political factors, there was a tendency to advocate one theory while negating another, and discussions on some divergent academic problems were improperly approached. This hindered the development of genetics in China. In 1956, the central government put forward the policy of letting a hundred flowers blossom and a hundred schools of thought contend, which aims at promoting ,the progress of arts and sciences. Later in the same year, a genetic conference was held in Qingdao cosponsored by the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and Ministry of Higher Education. This conference created an improved environment for the development of genetics. In the following 10 years, the number of personnel involved in genetic research and teaching and the supply of laboratory equipment and funds were rapidly increased. For example, two genetic institutes were established in China, one in Beijing, the Institute of Genetics, and the other in Shanghai, the Genetic Institute of Fudan University. They began or continued research in microbial, plant, animal, and human genetics. Meanwhile in Fudan and other universities, a great number of students (including M.S. and Ph.D. students) in genetics were trained. Thus a good foundation was laid for the progress of genetics. Unfortunately, the work in genetics, as that in other fields, was disturbed again during the 10 years of cultural revolution. In 1978, the central government set forth the general principles for the development of the national economy. Since then genetics has stepped on to a new road for its development. China's reform has succeeded first in the countryside, which has brought into full play the initiative of the farmers for production and has greatly promoted the development of agriculture. Taking food production as an example, as farmers' investment increased, soil fertility, irrigation systems, and other conditions have been improved. Thus more and better crop varieties are demanded. Under this new situation, Chinese geneticists and plant breeders have developed a great number of new and improved crop varieties, which have played a significant role in increasing the country's food production. For example, YUAN Longping's laboratory of the Hunan Academy of Agricultural Sciences developed a malesterile rice line and hybrid rice by crossing rice with barnyard grass. Dozens of superior cross combinations have been made across the country. The cultivated area of hybrid rice has