Scottish independence could threaten medical research, warn scientists

Arguments have broken out in Scotland over the future of medical research if the country votes to separate from the UK in September’s independence referendum.

A group of leading doctors and scientists warns that independence will “jeopardise Scotland’s present success in the highly competitive arena of biomedical research.” However, these fears have been dismissed by a group of academics campaigning for a yes vote.

Scotland has 9% of the UK population but in 2012-13 received just over 13% of grants from the UK Research Council. It also received a greater than population share of research funding distributed …