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Home > Policy > White Paper, Notice, Announcement > White Paper > JAPANESE GOVERMENT POLICICIES IN EDUCATION, SCIENCE AND CULTURE 1994 > PART II Chapter 6 Section 6 6

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PART II Recent Trends and Developments in Government Policies in Education, Science and Culture
Chapter 6. Promoting Scientific Research
Section 6. Prioritized Promotion of Basic Research
6. Explaining Life Phenomena: The Life Sciences



(1) Bioscience Research

Bioscience, dedicated to the physical and chemical elucidation of life phenomena at the molecular level, including the roles of DNA and proteins, has the potential to expand our understanding of genetic and cellular processes, human brain functions, and even mental activity. Research in this field is also expected to yield advances that can be applied in such fields as medicine and agriculture to benefit humanity in the next century.

The Ministry of Education, Science and Culture is promoting research in this field under the grants-in-aid for scientific research system, in line with the recommendations of a February 1986 proposal by the Science Council titled "Promotion of Bioscience Research in Universities and Other Institutions." The Ministry is also working to help universities and other institutions expand programs to preserve genetic resources in order to secure biological genealogies, develop facilities for genetic experiments in a systematic manner, and improve and expand relevant undergraduate faculties and graduate schools.


(2) Recombinant DNA Experiments

Since recombinant DNA experiments * lead to the creation of new organisms, the Ministry of Education, Science and Culture has issued "Guidelines Concerning Recombinant DNA Experiments in Universities and Other Research Institutions" (Ministry of Education, Science and Culture Notification No. 4, 1991). The purpose of these guidelines is to ensure safety with regard to environmental considerations and other factors.


* Recombinant DNA experiments involve the propagation of cells and organisms containing DNA that has been artificially introduced through cutting or combining. The aim of such research is to determine how DNA information is manifested.


(3) Gene Therapy Clinical Research

Gene therapy is the treatment of disease through the introduction of foreign genetic material into the human body. Such methods have the potential to yield breakthroughs in the treatment of conditions for which there are no effective therapies at present. Some techniques are already in clinical use in the United States. In April 1994 the Ministry of Education, Science and Culture established the Expert Committee on Gene Therapy Clinical Research within the Science Council, and in June 1994 the Ministry issued "Guidelines Concerning Gene Therapy Clinical Research in Universities and Other Research Institutions" (Ministry of Education, Science and Culture Notification No. 79, 1994). The purpose of these guidelines is to establish a system that will ensure that universities and other research institutions conduct gene research on a sound and sustained basis.


(4) Cancer Research

In 1984 Japan inaugurated the Ten-Year Comprehensive Strategy for Cancer Control. In the future, as in fiscal 1994, the Ministry of Education, Science and Culture will continue to promote cancer research based on the many important findings gained through this program. Funds are provided through the grants-in-aid for scientific research system and other systems.


(5) AIDS Research

The Ministry of Education, Science and Culture is using grants-in-aid for scientific research and other types of funds to support prioritized basic research relating to AIDS, including the structure, functions, and infection mechanisms of HIV, immune-system abnormalities, and disease conditions, prevention, and treatment. The Ministry will continue to promote such research.


(6) Human Genome Research

In July 1989 the Science Council submitted a proposal titled "Development of the Human Genome Program in Universities and Other Research Institutions." In line with this proposal, the Ministry of Education, Science and Culture is providing grants-in-aid for scientific research for such purposes as analysis of the structure and functions of the human genome * and the development of genome-analysis technology and large-scale information-processing systems. The Ministry is also promoting research on the social implications of understanding the human genome, including ethical issues that are likely to emerge and the question of patenting organic material. The Human Genome Center, established in the Institute of Medical Science of the University of Tokyo to serve as a base for human genome analysis research in Japan, provides various forms of support for researchers.


* The human genome is the set of 24 human chromosomes. It contains all human genetic information and can be regarded as the biological blueprint of a human being. Analysis of the structure and functions of the human genome has great scientific significance and is expected to lead to medical breakthroughs. This research is also expected to explain the causes of genetic diseases, of which there are reported to be 4,000, including juvenile-onset Parkinson's disease and familial Alzheimer's disease. Research is being conducted throughout the world, including the United States.


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