Referring to the historical context, Mao just introduced the Revolution at that time. As a consequence research institutions and universities were shut down, and scientists and intellectuals were sent to villages to be "re-educated" by farmers. Later Ho Chi Minh asked Mao for medical help for malaria, and Mao assembled 600 scientists who were still available, including Ms Tu, to start a military research project.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Project_523
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_science_and_technol...
If the Cultural Revolution did not happen, most of the scientists in China at that time would be doing their own research, instead of being banished, humiliated and tortured. And Ms Tu would have more colleagues and a better scientific environment to work with.