Aus der meereskundlichen Forschung

Some special German investigations of physical, chemical and radiological aspects of oceanography are described. The physical contributions deal with a cruise of the research vessel “Meteor” in the Icelandic region, the upwelling phenomenon, the relationship between large-scale meteorological and oceanographic processes, and ocean-wave research. As regards marine chemistry information is given on new developments in instruments which perform continuous and automatic analyses, with some practical applications. The radiological contribution concerns the oceanographic problems connected with the dumping of packed low-level radioactive wastes.     

Von der Freiheit der Forschung und der Verantwortung des Wissenschaftlers

The future of the modern world, which in its structure is a Leonardo world, depends on the future of science. Science solves problems but it creates problems, too. Hence, the conflict over scientific (and technological) progress is normal and talk about a crisis of acceptance is misleading. Freedom of research--within the scientific triangle formed by pure basic research, application-oriented basic research, and applied research for product development--finds its limits in the responsibility of the scientist. The scientific imperative, without which a Leonardo world cannot survive, must be supplemented by an ethical imperative, without which it cannot steer a reasonable course.     

Chimären in der entwicklungsbiologischen Forschung

Chimeras produced from amphibian, mammalian, and especially avian embryos have provided important insights into vertebrate development. Important contributions have led to new concepts in understanding the development of, for example, the nervous system, the vascular system, and the skeletal muscles. The migration of cells is particularly accessible in chimeras. More important results are to be expected from chimeras in the future, especially by combining this approach with other state-of-the-art techniques.     

Zufall und Entdeckung in der Forschung nach der Ursache der infantilen amaurotischen Idiotie

Infantile amaurotic idiocy — the classical type known as “Tay-Sachs disease” — is the consequence of the accumulation of a ganglioside and a closely related derivative in the human brain. The accumulation of both substances is due to a genetically induced deficiency of their common catabolic enzyme system. K. Sandhoff discovered three enzymic variants of the disease, which, taken together, did not reveal any apparent causal relationship between enzymic defect and substrate accumulation. The role of chance and discovery in finding the three variants as well as in the elucidation of their causes is described.