The disturbing results contained in the State of Science 2006 indicate that despite government and industry’s claim that more money is being put into research and development, years of cutbacks, relocations, reviews and contracting out have taken their toll on the job opportunities available for scientists and research undertaken for the public good.

The survey results will be launched at a press conference taking place at 11.30am on Tuesday, December 5 in Room TG20/21 of the Scottish Parliament.

Based on a questionnaire of nearly 1,000 scientists and technologists, the survey aimed to find out:

• • what motivates scientists in their professional life
• • how they view prospects within their sector
• • the effects of the pressure to secure funding
• • remuneration levels
• • levels of pressure to tailor results or advice
• • and their ability to develop their own ideas.

Paul Noon, Prospect General Secretary will outline the findings during the meeting. Scientists who work at the Rowett Research Institute, Aberdeen; the Scottish Crop Research Institute, Dundee; and the Macaulay Research Institute, Aberdeen, the Moredun Research Institute, Penicuik and the Roslin Institute, Edinburgh will also attend the event.

Speaking before the event Noon said: " The findings indicate that the UK is on the verge of a 21st century brain drain. The need for good research to give us accurate information is paramount for decision making in government and industry. Our survey gives a voice to those who are best qualified to comment and what they have to say should give us all cause for concern."

The report lists areas of research in the public interest which have already been lost ranging from landmine clearance technology, pathogenesis and the treatment of arthritis, to animal genetics and the maintenance of Sites of Special Scientific Interest.

It also includes comments highlighting the concerns of members such as: "All work is now required to have a gold-plated guaranteed result. This is not the nature of meaningful research."

" Several opportunities to collaborate with new US and European projects have been lost due to lack of pump-priming funding."

"Research only seems to get the go-ahead when topics become ‘political’"

"We find it very hard to get funding for basic research and data gathering to support the applied science that we are expected to do."

Copies of the survey will be available at the launch.