[The evolution of Chilean universities from 1981 to 2004].

In 1981, a supreme decree allowed the creation of private universities in Chile. As a consequence, 50 new universities were created in one decade, under the surveillance of the Council for Superior Education. This paper analyzes the evolution of this expansion process, that resulted in an admission of 370,000 students to 60 universities along the country, during 2004.

[Bioethical principles concerning human genetic data].

UNESCO'S Universal declaration on the human genome and human rights (1997) has been accepted by the international scientific community. To apply these laws, it is necessary to get more specific rules about data regulation, human genetic samples and its derived information in biomedic research. Indeed, genetic material recollection, processing, use and storing, has potential risks over human rights' protection and exercise.

[Biographical notes about Salvador Allende G].

Thirty years have elapsed since the tragic death of Salvador Allende, MD. He occupies a high position as a symbol of the fall of real socialism. He became the most famous physician/politician of his times in Chile and the tracks of his life became imprinted, during the past century, in the pages of Revista Médica de Chile.

[Evaluation of classical works in the history of genetics ].

The classical Mendelian genetics forged the development of biomedical sciences in the twentieth century. However, the classical works that allowed the sequencing of human genoma, have not received the recognition that they deserve. The author does a historical revision of works, considered classic in genetics and its specialties such as cytogenetics, biochemical genetics, immunogenetics and molecular genetics, published between 1990 and 1999.

[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.

[History of the scientific work of Eduardo Cruz-Coke Lassabe].

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.

[UNESCO's bioethical norms to avoid eugenic practices].

The author, member of the UNESCO Bioethics Committee, participated in the preparation of the Universal Declaration about Human Genome 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.

[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.

[Hippocratic 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 Hippocratic philosophy is the principle of wholeness, summarized by Plato in the sentence "The certain knowledge of nature is solely possible from medicine and only when it is correctly approached as a whole".

[Autonomy accreditation of private Chilean universities (1994-1998)].

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.

[Posthumous nomination for Medicine Nobel Prizes II. The positivism era (1849-1899)].

The author proposes the nomination of great physicians of the second half of the XIX century for a posthumous Medicine Nobel Prize. The valorization given by medical historians Garrison, Lavastine, Castiglioni, Lain Entralgo and Guerra, is used to select the better candidates. One to three names are assigned by year from 1849 to 1899.

[Posthumous nomination for Medicine Nobel Prizes. I. The 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.

[The genes of human hypertension].

In the last decade, two types of genes participating in the etiology of hypertension have been identified. The primary genes or blood pressure regulators are those that codify enzymes (renin, kallikrein, kininase, aminopeptidase), hormones (angiotensins, vasopressin, aldosterone, prostaglandins, and atrial natriuretic peptide) and substrates (angiotensinogen and kininogen). They cause arteriolar vasodilation or vasoconstriction or sodium retention in the extravascular space.

[Ethics code of the Chilean Biological Society].

The Chilean Biological Society has approved an ethics code for researchers, elaborated by its Ethic Committee. The text, with 16 articles, undertakes the main ethical problems that researchers must solve, such as institutional, professional or societal ethics, scientific fraud, breaches in collaborative work, relationships between researchers, participation in juries and committees, ethical breaches in scientific publications, scientific responsibility and punishments. This code declares its respect and valorization of all life forms and adheres to international biomedical ethical codes.

[50th anniversary of the great reform of Chilean medical education (1945)].

The author reminds the reform of medical education of 1945 in which he participated as a student. It was approved by the Decree #201 of april 2, introducing Chilean medicine into a new era of modernity. The reform was planned and conducted by professors Hernán Alessandri (1900-1980) and Alejandro Garretón (1900-1980) who proposed substantial modifications in the organization, methodology and contents of curricula.

[Introduction to bioethics in contemporary medicine].

The author makes a historical revision of his 50 years experience in medical ethics as a student and physician. In 1944, medical ethics was traditional and resolved simple problems based on Hippocrates postulates and christian humanism. The present scientific and cultural revolution has impelled the rise of bioethics defined as "the systematic study of human behavior in life sciences, based on moral principles".

Genetic epidemiology of single gene defects in Chile.

We have studied the correlation between the ethnic structure and the prevalence of single gene defects in Chile. At present the Chilean population is approximately 64% white and 35% Amerindian with traces of other admixture. Fewer than 4% of the Chilean population are foreign born.

[Ethical principles in human scientific research].

Hippocrates was the first physician to use the scientific method to find rational and not religious or mythic causes, for the etiology of diseases. Hippocrates and Aristoteles did not dare to dissect the human body. Afterwards however, many scientists such as Herophilus, Erasitastrus, Vesalus and Fallopio, performed experiments in human beings using vivisection.

[The evolution theory in the medical sciences in Chile].

The evolutionist ideas of Lamarck, Darwin and Haeckel entered the country through the arrival of their books. "On the origin of Species" arrived in Chile in 1869. The most outstanding immigrant european physicians that discussed these ideas were Rodulfo A Phillippi (1808-1904) and Juan José Brunner (1825-1899).

[Fiftieth anniversary of classical genetics of professor Noe (1943-1993)].

Fifty years ago, the author was a student of Dr Juan Noé's general biology course. Dr Noé, an italian physician and biologist, was the most outstanding european teacher in Chile during the first half of twentieth century (1912-1947) and was the founder of the "Instituto de Biología de la Universidad de Chile". In 1943 Dr Noé taught to the author the classical genetics of that age that included basic concepts of mendelian theory, evolution, comparative anatomy, cytogenetics, eugenics and normal and pathological inheritance.