Science: £10 billion boost over three years

The government has announced a £10 billion boost to science in the UK - with a new drive to develop stem cell research.

The UK operates a favourable legal climate for biotechnology and ministers hope to exploit this to put the country at the vanguard of the economic rewards to be reaped from the new science.

In the US the anti-abortion lobby has slowed stem cell research, but opposition in the UK has been muted.

Stem cell research is set to receive a £1 billion award as part of a £10 billion three year science plan.

The cash will be awarded to the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council.

A further £1.5 billion going to the Medical Research Council over the next three years could also be used in the field.

"This is the biggest investment in science for a generation, and our aim is to close the gap with the United States and maintain our lead over the rest of the OECD," said Patricia Hewitt.

"We want to send a signal to our own scientists and scientists around the world that Britain is open for business in some of the most controversial but also important areas of science."

Hewitt said the new science could change the way people live and are treated when they fall ill.

"This area of stem cell research is potentially enormously exciting in terms of the breakthroughs it can make for treating hitherto intractable conditions," added Hewitt.

"We've tried to create an ethical framework that allows stem cell research to continue in Britain.

"Scientists are coming to Britain because they're free and encouraged to do their research here."