More investment needed in medical research, states EMRC White Paper
Following the analysis of the state of medical research in Europe, the European Medical Research Council (EMRC) has called for a doubling of public spending on medical research to a minimum of 0.25% of GDP over the next 10 years. In a White Paper released on 6 December, the EMRC states that this boost is needed to 'ensure the health and welfare of Europe's citizens and to nurture a thriving medical research industry'. Further recommendations made by the EMRC, the European Science Foundation's membership organisation for all medical research councils in Europe, include: - closer collaboration and coordination between European institutions, helped by the EMRC, the European Commission, the European Research Council and medical societies; - revision of European Commission directives on medical research; - improved career paths and implementation of equal opportunities for medical scientists; - distribution of funding based on excellence and evaluated by peer review; - extra investment in research infrastructures in new EU Member States. 'We believe that this White Paper presents a powerful case for the future strategy of medical research in Europe, which will benefit society in many ways and will improve the quality of life for the citizens of Europe and the rest of the world and meet the difficult challenges we are facing,' said Professor Liselotte Højgaard, chair of the EMRC, when she presented the paper to research and science Commissioner Janez Potocnik. 'A strong base in medical research will also lay the foundations for a more successful medical industry in Europe.' 'What Europe needs is a more coherent, strategic approach to research at European level,' Commissioner Potocnik agreed. 'This was the driving philosophy behind our Green Paper on the European Research Area, and one which the EMRC have taken up in their paper. That national medical research councils are teaming up to better organise medical research in Europe is a very significant signal. I look forward to exploring the EMRC's ideas and help them deliver on their objectives.' Stakeholders will further discuss the White Paper and actions suggested at a meeting in Frankfurt, Germany, on 30 January.