APPENDIX 10
Memorandum from Dr Robert B Belshe, Saint
Louis University
I am Professor of Medicine and Molecular Microbiology
at Saint Louis University School of Medicine. I have trained both
at the US National Institutes of Health and for one year at the
National Institute for Medical Research in Mill Hill. Therefore,
I have had an opportunity to view both the US premiere medical
research institution and the British institution.
Regarding the proposal to relocate the National
Institute for Medical Research into central London, I would comment
that it is not a very practical idea. The conduct of medical research
often requires use of animals and specialised bio-containment
facilities. Both of these specialised facilities are available
at Mill Hill, but the large space requirements and security requirements
would seem to be difficult to recreate in central London. Furthermore,
the major costs in relocating these facilities into central London,
in my opinion, would be better spent by upgrading the facility
at Mill Hill. In my view, the important work that is ongoing at
NIMR should be well-funded and supported and not be subject to
threats of relocation in attempts to reduce costs, but rather
reinvestment in an ongoing work at a very strong physical and
academic facility is in order.
5 November 2004
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