I have just returned from the Financial Times' offices, where I was the guest for their regular science podcast hosted by Clive Cookson and Andrew Jack (it will appear here later today). The theme of the discussion was 'Selling Sickness.' Andrew was reporting on a recent conference of the same name that took place last month in Holland. … Continue reading When good medicine is the casualty of hype and ignorance
partnership
Capability Dave announces cluster therapy for research
Monday saw the Science Mnister, David Willetts, and Health Minister, Earl Howe, announce what are being called therapeutic capability clusters (research consortia) at the ABPI/BIA conference in London. PharmaLetter has an article on it and what I think is the formal news release can be found on Pharma Live. Don't be fooled by the PR … Continue reading Capability Dave announces cluster therapy for research
Briefings on the impact on science of a cap non-EU migrants, data protection etc
A quick pass-by to alert you to the fact that we have a new briefing available on the impact on science of the proposed cap on non-EU migrants...and that we have published our response to the Ministry of Justice consultation on the current legislative framework for data protection. On the former I believe that the … Continue reading Briefings on the impact on science of a cap non-EU migrants, data protection etc
Science at the Conservative Party Conference – avoiding the herd mentality
I read in the Birmingham local press that about 14,000 people are expected at the Conservative Party Conference. It certainly seems busier than the preceding two, even on a Sunday evening. Each conference has its own feel but common to them all is the herd of grey-suited buffalo (including myself I suppose) that migrates from one … Continue reading Science at the Conservative Party Conference – avoiding the herd mentality
Coming down to earth – regulators, dementia taxes, collaboration and new generation politics
I think it was Simon Carr in the Independent who said that Ed Milliband opened his arms at the beginning of his speech as if welcoming the assembled earthlings to his world. I certainly feel as though I have come back down to earth today. An early train back to London from Manchester to a … Continue reading Coming down to earth – regulators, dementia taxes, collaboration and new generation politics
Science at the Labour Party Conference – a Miller's tale
Rumour has it that there is an outbreak of tonsilitis in the north-west at the moment...here's hoping Ed Milliband is being kept in isolation until his leader's speech this afternoon. One thing I forgot to mention from last night's meeting was David Lammy's comment that the coalition government has yet to put together a convincing narrative for … Continue reading Science at the Labour Party Conference – a Miller's tale
Science at Labour Party Conference – Vital Signs
First, a general observation. Less than one day here and I have met four 'Eds' already - more than in the previous ten years travelling the breadth of the UK. Strange that. But perhaps when you are faced by David Willetts you need as many 'Eds' as you can get. I came expecting a muted, … Continue reading Science at Labour Party Conference – Vital Signs
Science at the Lib Dem conference – patients hold their nerve for research
'Hold your nerve' was the message to his party from Nick Clegg yesterday. Well, this evening patients and their carers held their nerve by standing in front of conference delegates to tell their personal stories of fighting disease and the way research has helped, or could help, them. In fact if you happen to be … Continue reading Science at the Lib Dem conference – patients hold their nerve for research
Science at the Lib Dem Conference – Life Sciences Breakfast
Policy-making is not immune to trends. The latest seems to be the 'roundtable' meeting. I blame King Arthur myself (well, they say that trends do come round). But I bet he didn't meet his knights at 9 or 8am. This morning AMRC, the BioIndustry Association, Association of British Healthcare Industries and Association of the British … Continue reading Science at the Lib Dem Conference – Life Sciences Breakfast
Science at the Lib Dem Conference
I'm at the Lib Dem Party Conference in Liverpool today and tomorrow. The sky is set fair and the sea is calm and so seems the conference mood by and large. I went to a good fring meeting at lunchtime Chaired by Julian Huppert MP and hosted by the British Heart Foundation (BHF), Diabetes UK … Continue reading Science at the Lib Dem Conference
Charity support for 'a single research regulator'
This afternoon we have published our response to the Academy of Medical Sciences' call for evidence on proposals for a single research regulator. You can find the full text if you click on the 'AMRC Statements' tab at the top of the page or here. Our submission is based on a survey of our members and … Continue reading Charity support for 'a single research regulator'
Venture capitalists weigh in on science funding debate
I spoke at an interesting event last week organised by OneNucleus, a membership organisation which brings together international life science and healthcare companies. The audience was packed with representatives of both large and small companies including many biotechs. It was the day before Vince Cable's speech and much concern about what he would or would not … Continue reading Venture capitalists weigh in on science funding debate
Science in a near miss with Cable but flies on…to Birmingham and China perhaps
I feel I must dedicate this blog to the gentleman who posted an online comment in response to my letter in The Times yesterday, saying it caused him 'metaphor indigestion.' I could almost hear the indefatigable voice of my English teacher, the late Brian Mitchell, behind every word.* So....like the Red Arrows at one of … Continue reading Science in a near miss with Cable but flies on…to Birmingham and China perhaps
Cable reveals his basic instincts on science
Well, I think we can safely say that Vince Cable put the cat amongst the pigeons this morning. Doesn't matter that we all knew the cat was coming, the reaction has been instinctive. And there has been some uncharacteristically unacademic language in response to his blunt message. In fact that is the first thing that struck … Continue reading Cable reveals his basic instincts on science
Caps-off to non-EU talent, says AMRC
With parliament returning tomorrow for a two week spell ahead of the party conferences, it would seem that things are springing into life again after a month of self-sedation. Today, we publish our responses to the UK Border Agency and Migration Advisory Committee consultations regarding the proposed cap on non-EU migrants. See here for more. Or … Continue reading Caps-off to non-EU talent, says AMRC
Age research, ART, and AMRC science communication awards
I rather liked this piece from today's Press and Journal in Scotland about how the results of an IQ test taken by Aberdeen residents 60 years ago is helping medical research today. It also gives me the opportunity to plug the forthcoming UK Age Research Forum (UKARF) conference taking place in London on 29th September … Continue reading Age research, ART, and AMRC science communication awards
JK Rowling and Donation to Multiple Sclerosis research
There has been blanket coverage of JK Rowling's £10 million donation to set-up a new research clinic at the Edinburgh Centre for Translational Research and quite right too. The Anne Rowling Regenerative Neurology Clinic, named after her mother who had MS, will investigate treatments to slow the progression, and ultimately reverse, the symptoms of MS but will also undertake … Continue reading JK Rowling and Donation to Multiple Sclerosis research
Evan Harris and cuts to science funding
You may be interested in this call to arms by Evan Harris on The Guardian blog today. His essential point is that scientists and their supporters need to focus their attention on HM Treasury from this point onwards. Geoff Brumfiel makes a similar call in his article today also in The Guardian. That is certainly … Continue reading Evan Harris and cuts to science funding
Sunshine, stem cells and policy hypochondria over the NHS
It has been a busy 24 hours in medical research. Beginning with the sunnier side of things, I am sure few of you will have esacaped the wall-to-wall coverage of the study published yesterday showing Vitamin D exerts an influence over certain genes associated with diseases like multiple sclerosis and arthritis. The research is notable for its … Continue reading Sunshine, stem cells and policy hypochondria over the NHS
Osborne on economic growth
Various reports are flashing across the wires right now concerning the Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osborne's, speech at Bloomberg's offices in London today. The following is from BBC News. You can read the full text on the HM Treasury website here. Which begs the question why it takes the Department of Health … Continue reading Osborne on economic growth
Simon Denegri's Lay Review 