APPENDIX 117
Memorandum from Professor Edwin Taylor
The problems of the treatment of NIMR have now
reached the pages of Nature (December 9). This is the second time
in the past few years that there has been a move to emasculate
one of England's finest research institutions. Among scientists
who are familiar with the work that has been done by the researchers
at NIMR,the policies adopted by MRC are difficult to understand
and one can only conclude that the motives are political rather
than scientific. A move to Guys Hospital, where there is little
space, would essentially be the first step in destroying this
laboratory. Recently, first rate appointments of younger scientists,
like Malloy and Weigle, did much to insure the future of a leading
laboratory in the field of motility and compensate for the retirement
of distinguished older scientists. Disruption of the laboratory
and the clear indication that there is no future for NIMR will
lead to the loss of these people, who would have been the new
leaders of this field in England.
As a former member of the MRC lab at Kings College
and a contributor to the field of motility I wish to express my
disappointment with the policy of the MRC and the way in which
it is being carried out.
Prof Edwin W Taylor(FRS)
December 2004
|
