Launch of Biosciences Federation

The Biosciences Federation, an umbrella organisation representing over 60,000 life scientists, will be launched today at the House of Lords.

The Federation has been formed by an amalgamation of the Institute of Biology and the UK Life Sciences Committee.

It has over 20 member societies, in disciplines as disparate as ecology and neuroscience.

The main aims of the Federation are to promote dialogue between life scientists and to provide a single coherent voice for bioscientists to Government, the public and all other stakeholders. Professor Colin Blakemore, first and current President of the Federation, commented

“The launch of the Federation is the culmination of several years of discussion about the representation of bioscience in this country. The mission of the Federation is to promote the interests of member societies, and all bioscientists, in discussions about education, funding, professional structure, and the application of research to the benefit of the British public.”

Lord Sainsbury will be the guest of honour at tonight’s launch celebrations. Government in general and Lord Sainsbury in particular have been particularly supportive about the formation of the Federation.

Sir John Sulston, Nobel Prize winner for Physiology and Medicine in 2002, has also agreed to say a few words at the event tonight. Sir John commented

“I am delighted that the Biosciences Federation has come into being. It will provide a unified voice for those working in the life sciences, and I believe it will become increasingly influential in international affairs.”