Speech from the Chairman of the
Board of Science & Education
Sir David Carter
Tuesday 29 June 2004
Chairman, I move that the report of the Board of Science and Education, in the Annual Report of Council be received.
This report considers the work of the Board over the past session in a number of fields, so I will merely highlight the main achievements and indicate the future direction of our work in the coming session.
In the past session we have completed a number of major studies and have published reports with recommendations, both in hard copy and on the BMA website. In addition I am happy to report that a number of recommendations from our previous reports have been implemented 1.
Fitness to Drive
As a result of our work on Drug Driving we are working with Dr Tim Carter, Chief Medical Advisor, Department of Transport on revamping the current guidance available to Medical Practitioners on the issue of fitness to drive.
Adolescent health
At the end of last year we launched Adolescent Health, a report which focused on the problems facing adolescents and examined the evidence surrounding adolescent health, behaviour and interventions. It reviewed four important areas in adolescent health including nutrition, obesity and sexual health.
Smoking and Reproductive Health
More recently, together with the Tobacco Control Resource Centre we presented the first focused overview of the impact of smoking on sexual, reproductive and child health in the United Kingdom. This complements our report on Passive Smoking, which was published in November 2002. This new report considered active and passive smoking by both men and women. It summarised the impact of smoking on sexual health, conception and pregnancy, as well as effects on the reproductive system.
We welcome the ban on smoking in enclosed workplaces that came into effect in the Irish Republic at the end of March and I am pleased to report that the work of the Board received high profile coverage in the Irish Media. The Board was also mentioned in Parliament for producing the "most recent authoritative resource" on passive smoking and health.
Diabetes mellitus: an update for healthcare professionals
The Board's report on Diabetes mellitus published in February focused on recent changes in our understanding of the epidemiology, aetiology and clinical management of diabetes, placing emphasis on controversial issues and recent advances. Diabetes mellitus is a serious complex chronic condition that is a major source of ill health. Current estimates are that diabetes affects 1.3 million of the UK population. The report highlights that the meticulous management of diabetes can reduce the risk and rapidity of development of a range of serious long-term complications, notably heart disease, stroke, blindness, renal failure and peripheral vascular disease.
GMOs
The BMA produced an interim report in 1999 on the health implications of GM food crops. In accordance with our intention to keep the public informed we held a round table meeting of experts in June 2003 and recently reviewed the emerging evidence. In producing an update of our 1999 report, the BMA sought to support balanced debate. As an organisation of doctors, we are not experts in agricultural techniques and crop science, but we are concerned with all issues of public health. The environment in which we live, the air we breathe, the water we drink and the food we eat, all have an impact on our health as individuals. It is this context that the statement was prepared. The BMA shares the view of the Royal Society that that there is no robust evidence to prove that GM foods are unsafe. However, we endorse the call for further research and surveillance to provide convincing evidence of safety and benefit.
Flying and Health
At the end of May we published flying and health. A guide that enables doctors, where possible, to provide informed and evidence-based advice to patients about their health and wellbeing during a flight. This report was very well received by both the public and the profession.
BMA research grants
In promoting medical research, the Board continues to act on behalf of the Association's Trustees in administering the BMA research grants and prize schemes, which amount to over a quarter of a million pounds, each year. The grants given for medical research for this past session are listed in the Annual Report of Council.
The Board also oversees the work of the library, which is managed by Tony McSean and his team.
Further issues for consideration
During the next session we intend to complete studies on a range of issues, for consideration by BMA Craft Committees. These include reports on biotechnology, rural health and actions from the ARM.
Finally Chairman, I would like to express my thanks to all members of the Association. In particular Chief Officers, members of the Board of Science and Education, the Craft Committees and other colleagues who have assisted me during the past session, and who have contributed to the work of the Board, in promoting the medical and allied sciences. I would also like to express my gratitude on behalf of the Board to the dedicated Science secretariat for their continued hard work and commitment.
1 Growing up in Britain
A Bill was introduced to improve services designed to protect children including the establishment of a children's commissioner for England. This was a recommendation in our 2000 publication Growing up in Britain and is something that we have consistently lobbied for.
Housing and health
The Draft Housing Bill will include two recommendations from the Board of Science report, Housing and Health:
- implementation of the Housing Health Rating System (recommendation 6)
- licensing of houses in multiple occupation (recommendation 7)