Clinical Research in Britain 1950-1980

Abstract

What is clinical research? The growth of clinical research in the UK since the Second World War is examined, including the 1953 Cohen Report and the subsequent creation of the Medical Research Council’s Clinical Research Board. Lord Walton of Detchant, as Chairman, guided the discussion on the inter-relationships between the MRC, the NHS, the Royal Colleges, other professional bodies and other funding organizations. Among other issues were the changes imposed by Government policy over the period, the influence of the early clinical research fellowships, growth of clinical career structures, planning of the Clinical Research Centre at Northwick Park, the tropical research units, and the effects of the Rothschild and Dainton reports on funding for clinical research and the role of the Chief Scientist. Participants include: Sir Douglas Black, Sir John Gray, Sir Raymond Hoffenberg, Dr Sheila Howarth, Professor Peter Lachmann, Sir Patrick Nairne, Professor Sir Stanley Peart and Dr Peter Williams. Reynolds L A, Tansey E M. (eds) (2000) Clinical research in Britain, 1950–1980, Wellcome Witnesses to Twentieth Century Medicine, vol. 7. London: The Wellcome Trust.