Author Archives: Science Media Centre
scientists respond to the DoH review of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act
The Government has published a command paper detailing proposals for revision of the law on assisted reproduction and embryo research, including the proposed Regulatory Authority for Tissue and Embryos (RATE), which will replace existing regulatory bodies (the Human Fertilisation & Embryology Authority, and the Human Tissue Authority). read more
Weatherall Report launch
The Weatherall Report examines the scientific basis for recent, current and future use of non-human primates in biological and medical research. Sir David Weatherall FRS, chair of the working group, came to the Science Media Centre to present the recommendations and outlined the key issues highlighted in the report. read more
scientists react to the findings of the Weatherall report into the use of non-human primates in research
The report is published by the Academy of Medical Sciences and can be downloaded from their website at www.acadmedsci.ac.uk … read more
Richard Doll: supping with the Devil?
The Guardian and Today programmes’ revelations that Richard Doll was paid to do research for the chemicals industry (Friday 8th December) are the latest in … read more
asthma and allergy research
Leading experts from the MRC-Asthma UK Centre in Allergic Mechanisms of Asthma to brief journalists on their latest research and questions on increasing asthma occurence and the most promising treatments in development. read more
scientists respond to criticism of the late Sir Richard Doll
This followed stories in the Guardian and on the Today programme criticising the late Sir Richard Doll for allegedly receiving industry bribes for favourable research outcomes. read more
launch of Duff report
The Northwick Park clinical trials tragedy was probably one of the biggest science stories of 2006 with many questions raised about what went wrong and how such an incident could be prevented in future. The Science Media Centre invited Professor Gordon Duff, Chair of the Expert Scientific Group, to brief journalists about their recommendations. read more
scientists comment on the Expert Scientific Group report on Northwick Park drug trials
This was the final report from the Expert Scientific Group, chaired by Professor Gordon Duff, which was set up following the very serious adverse reactions that occurred in the first-in-man clinical trial of TGN412 at Northwick Park hospital in March 2006. read more
mobile phone use and brain tumours
The Science Media Centre asked an expert to comment on the findings, from the Danish Institute of Cancer Epidemiology in Copenhagen, that there was no link between mobile phone use and cancers of the head or neck. read more
scientists respond to Cooksey reform of medical research report
Sir David Cooksey today published his review of the institutional arrangements for the public funding of health research in the UK. read more
scientists respond to Gordon Brown’s pre-budget report
Pre-Budget Report read more
an expert in epidemiology comments on HIV and malaria findings as published in Science
The paper reported that dual infection with both HIV and malaria fuels the spread of both diseases in Sub-Saharan Africa. read more
behaviour and health – what makes a difference?
The Science Media Centre invited key speakers from the United Kingdom Society of Behavioural Medicine 2nd Scientific Meeting to brief the press on their findings on how behaviour can affect obesity, fitness and activity levels. read more
using gene therapy to treat cystic fibrosis
In the week that Gordon Brown’s son was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis, the Science Media Centre brought together leading experts to talk to the media about using Gene Therapy to treat this common genetically inherited disease. Topics included how it works, what progress has been made so far and when would this treatment be available. read more
scientists react to the announcement that GM potato trials will begin in the UK
The biotechnology company BASF Plant Science has been granted permission by defra (UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) to trial a breed of potato genetically modified to be resistant to blight. read more
a morning with James Lovelock: global heating
The SMC invited leading environmentalist, Professor James Lovelock, brief journalists ahead of him delivering 5th John Collier Lecture for the Institution of Chemical Engineers. Lovelock, who is well-known for his ‘Gaia Theory’ addressed the consequences of climate change and argued that the widely used expression ‘global warming’ fails to convey the scale of the potential tragedy facing humankind. read more
“just good journalism”?
My e-mail informing journalists that Celia Hall, the Daily Telegraph’s health editor has been removed from the Science Media Centre’s contacts list for … read more
psychosis and ethnicity – New research from the AESOP study
Scientists from the Institute of Psychiatry, Kings College London, briefed the media on new research coming out of their longitudinal ‘AESOP’ study. They discussed new observations about the link between psychosis and ethnicity and explained that there is good evidence that long term separation from one or both parents is one of many contributing factors. read more
scientists comment on NICE guidance on Alzheimer’s treatment
The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) and Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE) issued joint guidance on the treatment and care of people with dementia in health and social care. read more
scientists respond to the news that Russian ex-spy might have been poisoned with radioactive thallium
At this time Mr Alexander Litvinenko was being treated in intensive care in a London hospital. read more