Abstract

The development of contemporary societies is deeply related to the progress of scientific knowledge and to its bio-medical applications. However the differences that exist today in different countries and which makes so distinct, for example, the situation of Western Europe and the context of sub-saharian countries, can find their roots in history. The political history-I mean the ideology and social organisation- is certainly concerned and may even be of a special interest if we keep in mind that the relationship between science and society is a determining factor of the social development.