BMA supports collaborative research during Brexit

The British Medical Association is backing calls for UK and EU Brexit negotiators to find compromises which will not jeopardise future collaboration in medical research.

The association is among the more than 100 medical bodies, scientific organisations and universities that have signed a statement calling for the UK’s participation in the EU’s Horizon research programme.

With the UK and EU having expressed a commitment in principle to continuing collaboration in research as part of any future trading relationship, the statement urges both sides to put the shared interest of scientific and medical research first.

It says: “Horizon should be a core part of the future relationship between the EU and the UK for research, underpinning valuable scientific partnerships that have been built up over many years. We have all reaped the health benefits of these collaborations. Clinical trials, particularly on diseases with limited patient populations, are reliant on EU-UK collaboration, while close research partnerships continue to accelerate life-changing medical research.

“Our ability to respond to the threat of climate change and outbreaks of new diseases such as Covid-19 has also been greatly improved by close scientific and clinical partnerships across Europe. Knowledge and discovery do not stop at borders, and the shared global challenges we face require joint solutions. Collaboration through the research framework programmes is a springboard to productive partnerships across the world.”