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Human genetics in post-WWII Italy: blood, genes and platforms.
- Source :
-
History and philosophy of the life sciences [Hist Philos Life Sci] 2023 Jan 05; Vol. 45 (1), pp. 1. Date of Electronic Publication: 2023 Jan 05. - Publication Year :
- 2023
-
Abstract
- Italian Life sciences in post-WWII faced important challenges: the reconstruction of a scientific panorama suffering heavily after two decades of Fascism and the damages of war. Modernization was not only a matter of recreating a favorable environment for research, by modernizing Italian biomedical institutions and connecting the Italian scientists with the new ideas coming from abroad. The introduction of new genetics required a new array of concepts and instruments, but also, the ability to connect to international networks and to become active members of a broader scientific community. Because of the several socio-cultural issues involved (eugenics, racism, religion, politics), human genetics is a good case study in order to analyze how Italian life sciences managed the transition towards a new research system, and the influences Italian human geneticists received. The paper focuses primarily on the development of the early career of Luigi Luca Cavalli-Sforza, probably the most prominent scientist in post-WWII human genetics in Italy, and his friend and colleague Ruggero Ceppellini. In following their path, a healthy mix of local traditions and international stimuli emerges, allowing for the establishment-within and beyond national borders-of the discipline.<br /> (© 2023. Springer Nature Switzerland AG.)
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1742-6316
- Volume :
- 45
- Issue :
- 1
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- History and philosophy of the life sciences
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 36602640
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1007/s40656-022-00555-2