Aplicaciones médicas de los descubrimientos genómicos / Medical applications of genome discovery

The discovery of the complete base sequence of human genome unveils several perspectives to understand human diseases and develop new therapies. Human genome contains approximately 39,000 genes of which 26,000 code specific proteins that have been identified. There are approximately 1,500 diseases with identified molecular disturbances. Genes can modify signs and symptoms of common diseases. Thus, there are no pure monogenic diseases. Chronic diseases of adults are complex and dependent on multiple factors. Several genes that predispose to chronic degenerative diseases have been identified. This is revealing the complex nature and the interaction of these ailments with the environment. The discovery of bacterial and viral genomic sequences will allow the manufacturing of new vaccines and specific molecular antimicrobials. The new pharmacogenomics will devise treatments for each subject according to her specific genomic profile. The new applications of genomic technology is creating new paradigms in biomedical research such as functional genomics, proteonomics, epigenetic regulation. Gene diagnosis and therapy will considerably improve the future of medicine

Historia de la obra científica de Eduardo Cruz-Coke Lassabe / The scientific work of Eduardo Cruz-Coke Lassabe, MD

Background: Eduardo Cruz Coke M.D., (1899-1974) was one of the precursors and pioneers of biomedical research in Chile, as professor of Physiological and Pathological Chemistry at the University of Chile, from 1925 to 1962. He was a disciple of Dr. Juan Noe and studied in Europe with the Nobel Prize winners Otto Warburg, Jean Perrin, Louis de Broglie and Frederic G. Hopkins. In Chile, he founded a scientific academy with disciples that later obtained the National Sciences Award, such as Hector Croxatto, Jorge Mardones, Hermann Niemeyer, Luis Vargas and Jorge Allende. He carried out pioneering research in metabolism, nutrition, endocrinology, oncology and nephrogenic hypertension. He published more than 50 scientific papers in French, English and Spanish. He founded scientific societies, edited journals and created the National Commission of Nuclear Energy. His books were "The ionic acidity in the clinic", "Preventive and directed medicine", "The adrenal cortex". He was Ministry of Health between 1937 and 1938 and passed important socio-medical bills. He obtained the distinguished international awards in Europe, the U.S.A. and Latin America. The Biomedical Sciences Institute of the University of Chile carries his name

Normas bioéticas de UNESCO para evitar prácticas eugenésicas en investigaciones biomédicas / Bioethical standards of UNESCO to avoid eugenical practices in biomedical research

The author, member of the UNESCO Bioethics Committee, participated in the preparation of the Universal Declaration about Human Genoma and Human Rights, in 1997. The aim of this work is to analyze the initial articles of such Declaration, defining the bioethical principles that defend human dignity, freedom and rights, against the madness of the present biotechnological revolution. The development of genetics for the benefit of mankind will be guaranteed if these principles are honored. Genetic discrimination, reductionism and determinism, are identified by the author as perversions that, if used by biotechnologists, can lead to the rebirth of eugenism and racism, that were condemned by the Code of Nuremberg, in 1947. Investigators must assume their responsibility, respecting the principles of human dignity, the real freedom of research and solidarity among people. This attitude will avoid the use of genetics for purposes other than the welfare of mankind

Historia de la genética latinoamericana en el siglo XX / The history of genetics in Latin American countries during the twentieth century

The aim of this historical review is to evaluate the evolution of genetics in the context of Latin American scientific culture, to value foreign influences and to highlight the discoveries and contributions of Latin American geneticists. During the first third of the twentieth century, local naturalists, botanists and physicians understood the chromosomal theory of heredity and Mendelian theory of evolution and begun research and teaching on these new theories and technologies. During the thirties and forties, North American geneticists visited South America and formed development poles on cytogenetics and population genetics in Brazil and Argentina. During the fifties and sixties, human genetics was formally established in Brazil, Argentina and Chile. Genetics teaching became generalized in universities and national Genetics Societies were formed. In 1969, the Latin American Genetics Society was created, unifying the efforts of zoologists, botanists, physicians and anthropologists in an unique Latin American cultural space, organizing 11 meetings between 1972 and 1994. Latin Americans have made a great contribution in genome discovery of animal, vegetable and human species in their territory. They explored the great genetic diversity of the continent, discovering new genes and diseases. The biomedical area had the greatest development. In 1997, there were 130 medical genetics centers, 120 hospitals specialized in congenital malformations, 56 molecular biology centers and 26 molecular genetics centers. At the end of the twentieth century, human genetics is completely integrated to medical sciences in Latin America

Claudio Costa Casaretto MD: 1914-1999 / Claudio Costa Casaretto MD: 1914-1999

A Chilean physician and a leading medical historian, Dr. Costa-Casaretto was born in Iquique, Chile, in December 25, 1914. He obtained his Doctor of Medicine degree in 1940, and became physician at the University of Chile Clinical Hospital in 1952. He made post graduate studies with Dr. Adalberto Pazzini, Professor of History of Medicine at the University of Rome. Returning to Chile in 1955, he founded with Professor Enrique Laval, a Center for Studies on the History of Medicine and edited the ÒAnales Chilenos de Historia de la MedicinaÓ (1959-1972). In 1968 was apppointed Professor of History of Medicine at the University of Chile, Faculty of Medicine. He wrote near one hundred papers about history dealing with the XIX century Chilean medicine, and a book ÒElectroanestesiaÓ (1959) a biography of Dr. Araya, the Chilean inventor of that technology. He died in Santiago, in April 29, 1999, after cerebrovascular and cardiovascular complications

La filosofía hipocrática / Hyppocratic philosophy

The art of medicine was formed in Greece in close relationship to culture and philosophy. During the Christian era, it was projected through the Corpus Hippocraticus, in several ethical and philosophical documents such as The Oath of Medical Science, Medical Law, Decency, Precepts, Antique Medicine, Airs and Aphorisms, Waters and places. The central idea of Hyppocratic philosophy is the principle of wholeness, summarized by Plato in the sentence ÒThe certain knowledge of nature is solely possible from medicine and only when it is correctly approached as a wholeÓ. Clinical actions, are imbued by Hyppocratic ethics; their aim is the ill that is an anthropos, a human being. The physician must take care of the ill with devotion, selflessness, comprehension and compassion. The oath is the supreme deontological code that summarizes the essential concepts of Hyppocratic philosophy. Recent studies suggest that there is a great distance between the thinking of Hippocrates and present scientific medicine. Hyppocratic philosophy rejects the epistemological principles of modern science. The Hyppocratic logic is probabilistic and temporal and rejects the principles of non-contradiction, of identity and therefore the abstract determinism of contemporary science. The present force of the oath is explained because its ethics and epistemology are matters of medicine that understands the real world of the ill, trying to avoid suffering and injustice. Only Hippocrates can defend each ill as a whole with the wisdom of its philosophy

Acreditación de autonomía de universidades privadas chilenas: 1994-1998 / Autonomy accreditation of private Chilean universities

Background: In 1995, a score to measure the quality of private universities in Chile, using excellency indicators as predictors of autonomy certification, was devised by the author. Aim: To compare this score with autonomy certification results of ensuing years, to assess the usefulness of excellency indicators. Material and methods: During 1995, the records of 21 private universities in Santiago were studied. These universities were qualified using eight indicators of academic excellency. These results were compared with the Superior Education Council qualification results, obtained between 1996 and 1998. Results: The scores obtained by universities ranged from 19 and 137 points. Universities with the better scores obtained autonomy and those with the worst scores were eliminated. There was a good concordance between the score obtained in 1995 and the fate of autonomy certification. Conclusion: The best predictors and indicators of academic excellency to certificate autonomy of private universities were the magnitude of indirect budget contributed by the state, the size of academic list of staff and the percentage of admitted students with scores over 573 in the national academic aptitude tests

Nominación póstuma de premios Nobel de medicina II: época del positivismo, 1849-1899 / Posthumous nomination for medicine Nobel prizes II: the positivism era, 1849-1899

The author proposes the nomination of great psysicians of the second half of the XIX century for a posthumous Medicine Noel Prize. The valorization given by medical historians Garrison, Lavastine, Castiglioni, Lain Entralgo and Guerra, is used to select the better candidats. One to three names are assigned by year from 1849 to 1899. Four categories of Nobel prices are assigned: a) Basic biological disciplines, b) Clinical and surgical medicine, c) Discoverers of transcendental diseases that are eponyms and d) New medical technologies. A total of 84 nominees for the Nobel Prize are presented. These lists are presented as preliminary and tentative to allow an extensive debate about the history of medicine during the nineteenth century

Nominación póstuma de premios Nobel de medicina I: época romántica, 1800-1848 / Posthumous nomination for medicine Nobel prizes I: romantic era, 1800-1848

In the centennial of Alfred Nobel's death, the author proposes the nomination of great physicians of XIX century for a posthumous Medicine Nobel Prize. The valorization given by medical historians such as Garrison, Lavastine, Castiglioni, Lain Entralgo and Guerra, was used to select the best candidates. One to three names were assigned per year, from 1800 to 1848. Four categories of "Romantic Nobel Prizes" are assigned: a) Founders of basic disciplines (anatomy, chemistry, physiology, etc); b) Masters of clinical and surgical medicine, pathology and specialties; c) Discoverers of transcendental diseases that are eponyms and d) Other great inventor or discoverers. A total of 66 nominees for the Nobel Prize, equally distributed between French, German and English physician, are presented. The omissions and limitation of this proposals are discussed