Loss of funding seems inevitable, a “worrisome” development, as Ramakrishnan describes it. “Unfortunately, there are even more worrying things in the pipeline,” he says. Consider the networks and contacts that the UK has established with our European counterparts over the decades. Science is a highly collaborative process and thrives on interactions. These could easily evaporate if Britain is no longer involved in EU research projects as a full partner.
“For a start, we learn a great deal from these interactions,” says cancer expert Professor Mark Lawler, of Queen’s University Belfast. “Take the example of early cancer diagnosis. That is something that the UK has been poor at in the past. However, with recent collaborations, particularly with Denmark, we have been learning how to improve them. Now this process is threatened.
“In addition, there is our ability to direct science policy and projects. We have been closely involved at the very beginning of major projects – such as those emanating from the EU’s vast Horizon 2020 research programme. We have played a key leadership role in setting them up, selecting personnel and establishing the direction of research.”
An example is provided by research in precision medicine, which uses the recently acquired ability to study individual variability in genes, environment and lifestyle to create new medicines and treatments for cancer patients. A European precision medicine programme is now being set up – initially with the UK playing a key role. “It remains to be seen what our role will be now,” adds Lawler.
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