Letters to the Editor – 04/11 – Scientific progress, Best of Twitter
Scientific progress
[Re: Antibiotics are in critical condition: An open culture will help us find alternatives, Friday]
The article highlights some very real concerns regarding antibiotic resistance, and rightly calls for more openness to ensure technological advances. But simplifying regulation is only one part of the solution to winning the fight against bacteria. Medical researchers, particularly in London, are making real inroads into understanding how bacteria work, evolve and become resistant. These painstaking studies take years – sometimes decades – to conclude, but offer exciting opportunities for the development of new treatments. What is holding back the translation of those discoveries into treatments is the lack of long-term finance required for development. Such investment is high risk and long term, but if we are to exploit the fruits of biomedical research for the benefits of patients, we need patient investors. Scientists around the world are dedicating their lives to understanding disease – but need financial and commercial experts to help them deliver new treatments. Where better than London to launch a new campaign to develop such treatments? The question is: are City investors ready to step up?
Professor Stephen Caddick, UCL
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BEST OF TWITTER
Another good reading for the UK economy. Manufacturing PMI at 56 in October.
@notayesmansecon
Tories now just 4 per cent behind in latest YouGov/Sun poll. Conservatives: 35 per cent, Labour: 39 per cent.
@MSmithsonPB
I fail to see how ring-fencing £38bn of toxic assets is going to precipitate the privatisation of RBS.
@truemagic68
Incredible that US faulted Germany for not spending surplus to help Eurozone weeks after shutdown fiasco.
@alaidi