Research into ageing - prevention is better than a cure, say public
The UK public feel that preventing ill-health is the most important area for research into ageing, ahead of research into managing conditions and finding cures. The findings came about as a result of research carried out for the UK's Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council and the Medical Research Council into the public's priorities for scientific research into ageing. The study was carried out by market research company Ipsos MORI and involved both face-to-face interviews and public workshops. The results will inform the Research Council's strategic decision making. 'Throughout the developed world there is an increasingly elderly population. This has been identified as a top priority by the Treasury as longer life expectancy creates the challenge of ill-health associated with old age,' said MRC Chief Executive Colin Blakemore. 'The results of this public consultation will help us to set priorities for funding for medical research into age-related conditions. The workshop discussions found that most people view ageing negatively, associating it with deteriorating mental and physical health, rather than as part of a natural life process. In the face-to-face interviews, 90 per cent of respondents agreed that research into ageing was vital to increase understanding of how quality of life can be maximised as people get older. When it comes to allocating research funds, the public identified improving quality of life and benefit for the greatest number of people as the most important criteria. Other factors influencing decisions included value for money and scientific excellence. 'In order to help prevent diseases and conditions associated with ageing we need to understand the basic biology of how we age,' commented Julia Goodfellow, BBSRC Chief Executive. 'The future challenge will be to translate research results into benefits for the ageing population,' added Dr Blakemore.
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