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high-quality computers, although as many as 50 computers of the ZRA-1 type were produced by VEB Carl Zeiss. In 1963, production of these computers was suspended because of technical difficulties and because it was more economical to procure computers from foreign sources. By 1965, the East Germans had begun development of good-quality small- and medium-sized computers, such as the Cellatron series, some of which were exported to the U.S.S.R. and other Warsaw Pact countries. A small-capacity, fully transistorized computer, the Cellatron D4a, was developed at the Institute for Electronic Computation of the Technical University of Dresden and is produced by the VEB Mercedes, Zella-Mehlis. The Robotron 100, 300, and 400 digital computers were developed by the VEB Robotron, Karl-Marx-Stadt. The Robotron 300, which is similar to the IBM-1410, has been a very successful model satisfying mostly domestic requirements for computers. Ambitious plans for the development of relatively advanced models, the R-400 and R-500, were dropped, although a somewhat less advanced model, the R-21, which is based on the IBM-360 model, is in production. A more powerful follow-on, the R-40, is under development. Progress in developing the later Robotron series has been very slow due to the lack of high-quality components such as multilayer printed circuits. The best known analog machine developed in East Germany is the Endim-2000. It utilizes vacuums tubes and reportedly is unreliable.
5. Medical sciences, including veterinary medicine (S)
East German biomedical research occupies a leading position among the East European countries and compares favorably in some theoretical and applied areas with the best work in the West. The government has a pragmatic approach to its medical research programs, most of its funds are allocated to research directed toward protecting the health and productive capacity of the national working force. The center of biomedical research is the Institute of Biology and Medicine of AW at Buch and its subordinate units. The AW laboratories are generally well-equipped, and the best research is done by them, while university research facilities lack adequate equipment. The FR has named five areas of priority: cancer, cardiovascular diseases, industrial medicine, immunology and preventive medicine, and pathology and diagnosis. Units have been created within these fields to coordinate the activities of the medical institutes of AW, the medical faculties of the universities, and the medical academies and research facilities under the Ministry for Health.
A concentration of effort on cancer research has led to the development of a unique but controversial multistage therapeutic technique. The complex treatment involves the use of a high temperature environment, hyperacidification, and the administration of cancerostatic drugs and nonspecific supportive agents. Some good fundamental research at the Institute for Cancer Research of AW in East Berlin is conducted on intracellular reversibility of cancerogenic reactions induced by radiation or chemical injury. Biochemical and biophysical approaches are being utilized in cancer research and epidemiological studies to establish methods for early diagnosis. In addition, a search is underway at AW's Institute for Microbiology and Experimental Therapy in Jena for new cancerostatic agents. The State Central Office for Radiation Protection, which is subordinate to the Council of Ministers, undertakes research on nuclear safety and control of exposure to radiation.
Good-quality research is done in biochemistry, especially on subjects such as enzyme activity in the developing rat brain, therapeutic antimetabolites, the nature of biosynthesis of alkaloids, the chemical regulation of plant growth, and genetic disturbance of amino acid metabolism.
Pharmacological research is of high caliber. A coordinated approach is employed by government facilities in the development of pharmaceuticals; supporting research is undertaken by industrial laboratories. Research has emphasized practical aspects and is directed to the development of high-quality drugs, especially agents for the treatment of cardiovascular disorders and infectious diseases and for psychopharmacological and diagnostic use. The AW's Institute of Pharmacology in East Berlin has advanced the level of glycoside, reserpine, and antihypertensive drug therapy. Excellent research is done on plant alkaloids. The AW's Institute for the Biochemistry of Plants, Halle, is doing good basic research on physiologically active derivatives of naturally occurring compounds.
Microbiological research is strong. The emphasis in virological research is on enteroviruses, tick encephalitis, and hepatitis. Outstanding work is being done on plant viruses. Productive work has been accomplished in the development of methods for prophylaxis and control of infectious diseases. Important areas of research include microorganism resistance to therapy, industrial production of antibiotics, and genetics of microorganisms.
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APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2009/06/16: CIA-RDP01-00707R00020011022-9
