Personal recollections about N.W. Timoféeff-Ressovsky and his action for radiation biophysics in Berlin-Buch and Dubna

Abstract

To meet Timoféeff-Ressovsky in person was an exceptional experience that has left memorable impressions. It was thanks to the German physicist Robert Rompe and the Russian geneticist Dubinin that the authors had the opportunity to get to know Timoféeff-Ressovsky. The cooperation with Timoféeff-Ressovsky led to a significant expansion of radiation biophysics in the GDR. A department for radiation biophysics was founded in Berlin-Buch’s Institute for Biophysics and headed by Abel. As its branch, a department for biophysics was built in Dubna under the leadership of Erzgräber. In 1987 the Soviet military court requested the GDR’s legal aid in connection with the judicial rehabilitation of Timoféeff-Ressovsky. The Academy of Sciences of the GDR accepted this request and carried out a thorough investigation into the available documents of oral presentations and publications authored by Timoféeff-Ressovsky. The investigation that was assisted by Abel among others, found that Timoféeff-Ressovsky’s research at no point supported the fascist racial ideology or Germany’s war activities.