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Part Promotion of Scientific Research

Bioscience is a new branch of science aimed at elucidating life phenomena by means of studying physical and chemical characteristics of DNA, protein and other molecules. Bioscience has rapidly advanced due to the recent development of new experimental techniques, such as recombinant DNA and cell fusion. As a result, it is expected that not only has the understanding of life been deepened in scientific terms, but also future contributions in terms of practical application will result in progress in medical services, agriculture and industry, for example, through the development of diagnostic and therapeutic techniques for cancer, AIDS and other incurable diseases, and through the improvement of animal and plant breeding technologies.

The Ministry of Education, Science and Culture is aggressively promoting bioscience research in accordance with its Science Council's February 1986 report entitled "The Promotion of Bioscience Research in the University". The Ministry's grants-in-aid for research in this field for 1990 were awarded to 10 projects in the category of special promoted research and to 11 areas in the category of priority areas research. The Ministry also endeavors to help universities in various programs for the preservation of systems for securing biological resources, for the systematic expansion of facilities for gene experiments, and for the improvement and expansion of relevant undergraduate faculties and graduate schools.

Since recombinant DNA experiments make new combinations of genes, which have never existed in the natural world, it is necessary to insure the safety of the experiment. In March 1979, the Ministry published "Guidelines for Experiments of Recombinant DNA in the University". The Guidelines were later amended several times to cope with new findings on the level of safety obtained as research advanced and new science trends developed. In January 1991 the Guidelines were amended for the seventh time.

Death from cancer has increased year after year. Since 1981, cancer has been the leading cause of death in Japan. In 1989, some 210,000 people died of cancer in Japan. Cancer control has been the earnest wish of the whole nation. In order to elucidate its cause and true form and thereby establish the methodology for its prevention, diagnosis and therapy, the promotion of basic research at universities and related research institutes is indispensable.

The Ministry of Education, Science and Culture has been promoting basic cancer research through its grants-in-aid system. In 1984, the Japanese Government launched the "Comprehensive l0-year Strategy for Cancer Control" (drawn up in June 1983 by the Ministerial Conference for Cancer Control). Under this "Strategy", the Ministry of Education, Science and Culture, in cooperation with the Ministry of Health and Welfare and the Science and Technology Agency, positively supports the research on such subjects as oncogenes, human viral carcinogenesis, acceleration and suppression of cancer, and so on. It has also started priority encouragement of cancer research conducted with new ideas and techniques introduced from bioscience.

Today, Japan's cancer research has reached the world's highest levels, having attained valuable achievements in relation to the discovery of new oncogenes, the analysis of HBV (Hepatic B Virus) and the elucidation of the carcinogenic mecha-nism through the discovery of protein-kinase C, and so on. However, there still remain many problems to be tackled, such as those concerning incurable cancer. Further, the promotion of cancer research, clinical as well as general, is earnestly needed in order to cope with the social demand for cancer control, which is anticipated to increase in accordance with the rising elderly population.

The Ministry of Education, Science and Culture is working to help national universities enrich their facilities and equipment for the promotion of comprehensive and continuous cancer research.

AIDS is a disease in which HIV (human immuno-deficiency virus) attacks lymphocytes, dramatically lowering human immunity and causing bacterial or viral infections or malignant tumors.

AIDS was first reported in the United States in 1981, and since then the number of cases discovered has been rapidly increasing. Since no cure has been discovered yet, this contagious disease is of global concern today. The number of cases and its rate of increase in Japan is not so conspicuous as in Western countries, but, since the number of victims is expected to keep increasing in the future, early establishment of preventive and curative methodology is now an urgent issue. The Japanese Government drew up "General Policies for Comprehensive Control of AIDS" upon agreement at the Ministerial Conference for AIDS Control in February 1987, and in January 1989 a Law Concerning the Prevention of AIDS was enacted. Thus, the Government is endeavoring to take comprehensive anti-AIDS steps, including the promotion of basic and clinical research by the Ministry of Education, Science and Culture, the Ministry of Health and Welfare and the Science and Technology Agency.

Prior to the above steps, the Ministry of Education, Science and Culture initiated AIDS research through its grants-in-aid system for scientific research soon after AIDS came up as a social topic. The Ministry, while hoping to enrich facilities and equipment for AIDS research at national universities, promotes relevant research by priority allotment of its grants-in-aid for the analysis of structures and functions of AIDS viruses and their contagion, morbidity, prevention and remedy, Further advancement of research in this field is still hoped for.

The human genome is divided into 24 kinds of chromosomes, carrying the total genetic information, and so it may be called the human biological blueprint. The human genome is composed of huge DNA molecules made up of about 3 billion bases, where a total of 50,000-200,000 genes are arranged. Analytical research of the human genome is ultimately aimed at finding the total base arrangements and at analyzing and decoding the genetic information. The results of research in this field will be of great significance from scientific as well as social viewpoints, for example, in the clarification of causes as well as in the diagnosis and treatment of hereditary diseases, of which about 4,000 are already known (e.g., early-age Parkinsonism, familial Alzheimers disease, etc.), in the systematic development of new medicines, and so forth.

In parallel with such nations as the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Italy, and so on, Japan is promoting analytical research of the human genome through research systems of the Ministry of Education, Science and Culture, the Science and Technology Agency, and the Ministry of Health and Welfare. Also, the Council for Science and Technology has set up, under its Subcommittee on Life Science, a liaison meeting for exchange of information between the ministries and agencies concerned.

The Ministry of Education, Science and Culture, in accordance with its Science Council's recommendation to the Minister on the "Promotion of the Human Genome Program in the University", which was submitted in July 1989, is promoting research through a new program system financed by its grants-in-aid for scientific research, particularly on such subjects as: (1) structural analysis of the human genome, (2) functional analysis of the human genome, (3) development of DNA analytical techniques, (4) development of a mass information processing system, and (5)common areas between human genome analysis and society.

Further, the Ministry has set up a Human Genome Analysis Center at the Institute of Medical Science of the University of Tokyo, which, functioning as the key base of human genome research at universities and relevant research institutions, collects, arranges, and systematizes a large quantity of materials and information to be produced as the research progresses and then distributes the material among the researchers concerned.