Scientists urged to communicate

Scientists should spend more time talking to the media, and engaging the public in their work, according to Colin Blakemore, the new chief executive of the UK's Medical Research Council (MRC). He said that it is vital for people to know about the legal and ethical safeguards surrounding research areas such as genetics, stem cells and animal experimentation, and to trust scientists to do this work. Blakemore warns that 'if scientists don't do more to engage with the public about their work, people will remain confused and sceptical of the benefits medical research can bring'. In an interview with The Scientist magazine, he also stressed that incentives for scientists to communicate with the public were crucial, given the professional pressures they already face.

Professor Blakemore, who took over from former MRC head George Radda last week, said he is proud to be leading an organisation that has made 'a real difference' to people's lives. He cites achievements such as the establishment of the UK Stem Cell Bank, and advances in understanding common diseases such as heart disease and cancer. He is also enthusiastic about the new UK Biobank project, saying that 'it will help researchers transform the knowledge of human genetics into new medical treatments'.

Neuroscientist Blakemore joins the MRC at a time when many researchers are said to be unhappy with its funding decisions, including its commitment to the Biobank project. And earlier this year, a House of Commons select committee chaired by MP Ian Gibson claimed that the MRC had 'seriously mismanaged' its funds and failed to plan adequately. Blakemore plans to address these concerns by meeting scientists at a series of 'roadshow events', to be held at several UK universities over the next few months.