We take the fight for world-class
heart science to Westminster
Policy Officer Joseph Clift reports on the House of
Lords inquiry into how the UK can remain a world-leader in the
field of regenerative medicine - the essential technology behind
Mending Broken Hearts.
Monday 12 November, 2012
The House of Lords Science and Technology Committee
is looking into UK regenerative medicine
research before considering how the country can continue to be
world-leaders in this field. Last week our Medical
Director, Professor Peter Weissberg, and
top stem cell scientist BHF Professor
Michael Schneider gave evidence to the inquiry.
Regenerative medicine research involves studying the science
behind repairing or replacing tissue that has been
lost or damaged. It offers hope for people
living with heart failure whose hearts have been damaged by
heart attacks.
Our involvement in the inquiry
It’s fantastic that we’re able to contribute to this process
which will hopefully lead to recommendations that make this
research more effective so people can benefit from
treatments much sooner. Our Mending Broken Hearts Appeal hopes to fund more
of this science so that we can find a cure for heart failure within a generation.
Professor Schneider, along with other expert scientists, spoke
about the current status of this research – how it’s been reported
in the media, along with current and future types of treatment. Our
Medical Director was asked about funding for regenerative medicine
research. Professor Weissberg was positive about the
Government’s current approach which involves significant
funding in this area through the Research Councils.
What happens now?
The Committee will continue to hear evidence through to the New
Year from a variety of experts and funders. The inquiry will lead
to a report being published in Spring 2013, with
recommendations to the Government on how the UK can continue to be
world-leaders in regenerative medicine.
On Friday last week, the Chancellor George Osborne also
highlighted regenerative medicine as a major priority area
for UK science. We will follow this process closely to
ensure the UK remains a great place to do regenerative medicine
research that could one day soon lead to a cure for heart
failure.
Find out more about
our Mending Broken Hearts Appeal
Visit the Parliament website to watch the Committee's evidence
sessions