Memorandum by The Physiological Society
(HON 49)
The Physiological Society is a learned society
founded in 1875 and it continues to represent physiologists mainly
from the UK but also from abroad. You will be aware that that
Physiology underpins the advances, the teaching and the practice
of Medicine. After a recent restructuring of the Society, Professor
Colin Blakemore was appointed as the first President in our history.
He served from 2001 to 2003, stepping down only to take up his
post as Chief Executive at the Medical Research Council. His stature
and his contribution to Physiology and to Science generally in
the UK are unquestioned.
The Physiological Society appreciates the support
shown by this government for biomedical science and the responsible
use of animals in medical experiments. There is no doubt however
that the leak surrounding the potential honour for Professor Colin
Blakemore, was very damaging and implied, in addition to a lack
of consistency between Government departments, that current procedures
were insufficiently rigorous to resist bias from certain pressure
groups.
We welcome the review of the system you are
currently undertaking, and hope that you will recommend the implementation
of a system that is transparent, rigorous and which rewards people
for their contribution to society irrespective of the controversial
area within which they work.
Professor Dafydd Walters
Chairman of the Executive Committee
February 2004
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