I would like to thank Professor Santa Ono for inviting me to this evening's event. In particular, may I offer a special welcome to all who are attending the symposium, many of whom have travelled some distance to be here. I hope that this conference will prove as productive and exciting as the conference programme promises it will be.
On behalf of everyone here, I would also like to thank the organisers for their tremendous effort in bringing together for the first time such international expertise in the field - a vital factor in ensuring a successful symposium. It is a great achievement. I am also grateful to the sponsors for their support – Biogen, GlaxoSmithKline, Santen Pharmaceutical, The Wellcome Trust and Banyu Pharmaceutical.
Successes And Opportunities In The Field Worldwide
Today, scientific progress is moving with unprecedented speed. In many exciting areas of biomedical research, our advancing knowledge promises to revolutionise the way disease is detected, treated and prevented. Research into the causes of blindness and failing eyesight is no exception. Many lines of research are currently being pursued with promising results, such as developing new vaccines to prevent eye damage following infection and treatments to alleviate the destructive effects of auto-immune reactions in the eye. New therapies will not appear overnight. But ongoing research is offering hope to improve the lives of those who suffer from such devastating conditions.
Strengths in BioScience
The Government believes that such research is critical to the health and well-being of our society, and, as emphasized by the Prime Minister in his speech at the Royal Society earlier this year, the Government is determined to create in this country the best possible environment for such scientific excellence.
So let me give you a few examples of what the UK Government is doing to create the best possible environment in this country for scientific excellence.
Stem Cells
Research using stem cells opens up the possibility of repairing tissue damaged or destroyed by a wide range of devastating conditions, such as Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, diabetes and stroke. The Government has, therefore, taken action to create a climate in which stem cell research and its applications can flourish. Today we have a framework in place to regulate such research and we are now directing funds towards one of the most exciting and promising fields of contemporary research. The UK's Medical Research Council are also setting up a stem cell bank, which will be a vital resource for researchers, ensuring the generation, supply and quality control of a wide range of stem cell lines.
BioBank UK
Secondly, the UK's Medical Research Council, together with the Wellcome Trust and the Department of Health, have also launched a unique project to investigate the genetic and environmental factors that cause disease. BioBank UK will enrol 500,000 volunteers aged between 45 and 69, who will contribute DNA samples, lifestyle details and medical information. These factors will be compared with the health of the cohort over subsequent years, offering an exciting approach towards developing improved diagnosis, treatment and prevention.
Synchrotron
And thirdly, the Government, together with the Wellcome Trust, have provided some £200 million to build a new Synchrotron in the UK. This major capital investment will ensure that UK scientists have access to high brightness radiation appropriate for probing the molecular structure of biological molecules.
The Role of Universities
The Government also believes that scientists must be properly resourced if they are to take advantage of the many opportunities they have.
Following substantial real terms increases for science in earlier Government Spending Reviews, this July we announced that, over the next three years, the Science Budget will increase by an average of 10% per year in real terms.
This means that, in cash terms, by 2005/06 the UK science budget will be twice what it was in 1997/98.
Global Research
Finally, I would like to say a word about the importance of global links for our science base. The diversity of delegates here today demonstrates the importance of global collaboration in tackling the challenges of improving our health and quality of life.
Likewise, the Government must provide an environment in which the challenges of forming global R and D networks can be achieved. A society that is closed, inward-looking and defensive would not remain at the forefront of science because it could not take part in this global collaboration.
The UK Government believes strongly that there are more opportunities today than ever before for advances in scientific research to contribute to the welfare of our society. That is why we are supporting basic research with a sustained investment of resources, why we have provided new incentives and programmes to encourage knowledge transfer, and why we are committed to building a more confident relationship between scientists and the public.
It is also why I am delighted to be here tonight and why I hope that this important conference will help you to take forward the exciting work you are doing in the frontiers of science.
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