Resumo

LEON OLIVARES, Felipe. El origen de Syntex, una enseñanza histórica en el contexto de ciencia, tecnología y sociedad. Rev. Soc. Quím. Méx [online]. 2001, vol.45, n.2, pp.93-96. ISSN 0583-7693.

This work describes how the company Syntex carried out a real world-wide revolution in the organic synthesis of steroidal hormones, making progesterone, cortisone, testoterone and contraceptives from diosgenin. To perform these synthetic transformations Russel E. Marker made several chemical research, between 1932 and 1942, using as vegetal raw material the "black's head" and the "barbasco", endemic species of Mexico. Several factors that made of this company a real Mexican monopoly are described. Afterwards, the possible causes for the loss of this important company in the independent industrial development of Mexico are exposed. The role of Syntex in the context of the interaction of science, technology and society represents an historical lesson for the new generations of students and researchers.

Palavras-chave : Syntex; Russell E. Marker; diosgenin; progesterone; barbasco; science; technology; society.