london

Britain's life scientists are lobbying to be allowed to retain a formal role in the government's Foresight exercise following a decision by the government last year to abolish the Foresight life-sciences panel.

Some life scientists remain critical of the decision to abolish the panel, and many are concerned at the diminished role played by scientists in the new round of Foresight.

Last week, representatives of seven professional societies, including the UK Life Sciences Committee, the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry, and the Academy of Medical Sciences, met in London to resurrect the life-sciences panel under the guise of an ‘associate’ panel, which is allowed in the new rules. One society representative who attended the meeting says the panel is being reconstituted to give life scientists an opportunity to contribute to the new Foresight process.

A spokesman for the government's Office of Science and Technology confirmed that a preliminary approach has been made by life scientists to set up an associate panel, although no decision has been made about whether permission will be given.

Technology Foresight, which was established by a Conservative government in 1993, asked scientists and industrialists in 16 areas of the economy to determine how research could help to create wealth and improve the national quality of life.

In its reorganization of Foresight last year, the Labour government broadened the exercise by inviting social scientists, natural scientists and industrialists to focus on the government's social and environmental priorities, including ageing, climate change, crime control, and sustainable development. But certain specialist panels were abolished.

The life sciences panel was replaced by a broader ‘healthcare’ panel, whose chairman is expected to be Michael Peckham, the head of social policy at University College London.