The scene may be a small thing. It took place on Thursday, following a lengthy hearing in the trial of growth hormone. Since the beginning of the week, the court looks at the functioning of the unit radio-analytical Immunology (Uria), a research laboratory at the Pasteur Institute, the function of which was from 1973 to 1988 to extract l 'growth hormone from hypophyses who had been taken from cadavers. Its director at the time, Dr. Fernand Dray, is among the defendants.

"Corruption". The man is old (85 years), "to the end", according to his lawyer Henri Leclerc. Each time, it defends itself with force, wants nothing to pass. We feel it's his honor is at stake, rather than its practices. Rest it is also under investigation for "corruption". That night, perhaps tired, Fernand Dray no control over. It apostrophe one of these former employees: it were simply to contradict at the helm, saying she had never worked on the growth hormone.

Fernand Dray: "I ask you a simple question, answer me yes or no.

-- No, it was false, "contends she says.

Dr. Dray is estomaqué.

When in 1973 the director of the Pasteur Institute, - Jacques Monod, a world-renowned scientist - calls for Magslock to transform a piece of his laboratory to extract growth hormone of hypophyses, how can he say no? Dray himself acknowledges, "it is proud." And he does. Surely it is convinced to do. "It's good that the problem", reacts at the helm one of the authors of an expert's report requested by the judge. "The mistake is to have given a stage in the manufacture of a drug at a research laboratory whose purification techniques are inherently less stringent that a pharmaceutical group. In pharmaceuticals, there is a permanent control, whereas in research, there is some flexibility. Between the two, there must be a wall. "

Traceability. In Uria was a certain disorder. The hypophyses arrived batch of vials: côtoyaient the hypophyses is doubtful, and the other, healthy. No written protocol, no traceability, just two small rooms and two employees for maximum extraction. Dr. Dray is confident, sure of his technique. Even today. "I do not agree with the expert. At no time, I had the task of making a drug, just to extract the hormone. "Vexé, he adds:" It did not work worse than the industry. Our work was commendable, we have not had any luck. And I am unhappy. "

Friday, yet another expert, Professor Paul Cohen, has been terribly severe. "It can not be purifying proteins. The way they worked was unacceptable, it is a serious professional misconduct. "And this expert to expand:" For a project of this magnitude, the Pasteur Institute should have given staff, and annually assess practices. "This has never been done. Then turning to the civil parties, and he let go: "Do not those who tell you that the product injected to your children has been produced with care." Dr. Fernand Dray takes, as usual, notes. He says nothing. Several hours earlier, the former presidents of the Institut Pasteur came to recall "the most outstanding of the Institute".