Patients' research priorities revealed

Just 7% preferred breakthroughs relating to premature births

Britons would like to see medical researchers concentrate on developing cures and treatments for diseases that affect children, according to a poll published on Wednesday.

The MORI poll, carried out on behalf of research charity Action Research, found that 37%, would children to benefit from any medical advances over the next 50 years.

Less than one-third of the 2,031 people questioned said they would like to see breakthroughs on conditions of ageing and one in five said they wanted to see advances in the treatment of conditions affecting adults.

The charity commissioned the poll as part of its 50th anniversary celebrations, next year.

It comes as a real surprise that only 7% of the public wanted to see the greatest advances made into conditions relating to pregnancy and birth.

John Grounds, Action Research

Action Research said it was surprised at the poll findings. Officials said they expected breakthroughs in conditions relating to pregnancy and birth, such as premature birth, rated more highly.

Surprising

John Grounds, its director of campaigns and communications, said: "It comes as a real surprise that only 7% of the public wanted to see the greatest advances made into conditions relating to pregnancy and birth.

"Research has proved that it is imperative to give children the best possible starts in life to help avoid mental and health problems in later years.

"Advances resulting in methods preventing premature birth should play a major part in medical research in the 21st century."

Professor Neil McIntosh, from the University of Edinburgh and one of the charities researchers, also expressed surprise.

He suggested that findings were at odds with previous surveys and stressed that this type of research was important.

"Medical research is absolutely critical, particularly as we understand more and more about how the health of the foetus and new-born baby can clearly influence many diseases in adult life, for example diabetes and heart disease."

He added: "Research in this young age is therefore vital for the human race, from beginning to end."

Action Research is currently funding more than 160 different projects across the UK, at a cost of over £14m.

The charity was established in 1952 by Duncan Guthrie and is one of the UK's leading medical charities.