Comprehensive new YouGov poll reveals majority in the UK would donate organs and blood for research and allow use of DNA and personal data to help advance healthcare
Survey shows huge pride in Britain’s history of innovation in healthcare and calls for Britain to maintain its lead
Fleming and Lister are the public’s top picks of British scientists
24 Apr 2018 Posted in
News Release
By
Press Office
Regardless of age, gender, geography and political voting intention, clear majorities of the British public are willing to step up to advance healthcare in Britain by providing blood for a national DNA database for medical research, register as organ donors for research purposes, and allow the NHS and healthcare researchers to use their personal data to help advance medical research.
This reflects findings of deep pride in the NHS and in Britain’s medical heritage - and a commitment to its future. The broad nature of public support – across the political divide - shows the NHS to be a truly national service.
These are just some of the results from a comprehensive new YouGov poll of 3,265 people in Britain on attitudes to science and healthcare for the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI).
- 58 per cent of British people are willing to provide a blood sample to be part of a national DNA database for medical research, compared to 26 per cent who are not willing (with the rest saying “don’t know”);
- 57 per cent of British people said they would be willing to register as an organ donor for research purposes, compared to 22 per cent who said they would be unwilling.
- 66 per cent of British people are willing to allow the NHS to use their healthcare data for medical research, compared to 19 per cent who are unwilling.
In each case, Conservative, Labour and Lib Dem voters all agreed by significant majorities that they would make these personal commitments. If representative of the wider population, this snapshot poll shows that more than 30 million adults in Great Britain would be willing to personally participate in health research to help advance medical science.
The British public’s commitment to the future of the NHS and scientific advancement is strong, but people have a clear view on what they want the pharmaceutical industry and the health service to focus on. Asked which medical breakthrough people would most like to see in the next 70 years, people overwhelmingly chose a cure for cancer (49 per cent), with a cure for Alzheimer’s coming in second (22 per cent). The public are split on whether they would like to live beyond 100 years old if medical advances made it possible: 37 per cent chose either option (with the rest saying “don’t know”). While “a significant majority – 68 per cent to 12 per cent – believe that using medical technology to eliminate genetic disorders or diseases should be allowed, a bigger majority – 74 per cent to 10 per cent – believe it should not be allowed to make people “smarter, faster or stronger” or pick personal characteristics.
As Britain gets ready to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the NHS, it is clear that pride in its past and satisfaction with its current performance across Britain is matched by a desire to protect its future and for continued world-leading innovation in scientific and medical research. Again, this commitment crosses the political divide.
- 81 per cent say they are proud of Britain’s history of innovation in healthcare and medicine. (Conservatives: 89 per cent; Labour: 82 per cent; Lib Dems: 84 per cent).
- 86 per cent say it is important that Britain continues to be a global leader in health and science innovation. (Conservatives: 91 per cent; Labour 88 per cent; Lib Dems 95 per cent).
- When asked the main reason for Britain’s lead in medicine and medical technology, the most popular answer was the role of the NHS, chosen by 26 per cent, with Britain’s scientific heritage in second, chosen by 18 per cent. (The NHS was the top answer of Conservative, Labour and Lib Dem voters, and across all other markers – gender, age, social background, location etc).
- A massive 90 per cent of people believe medicine and medical technology has improved in the last 70 years. (Conservatives: 94 per cent; Labour 90 per cent; Lib Dems 98 per cent).
- When asked what people think is the biggest contributor to poor health in their own areas, the most popular answers were “people eating poor diets” (28 per cent) and the prominence of “unhealthy food and fast food” (18 per cent). Very few people blamed “lack of investment in healthcare facilities” (just 9 per cent).
However, while enthusiasm for the NHS is widespread, it is not universal. Significant minorities believe they do not have access to the same levels of healthcare across the country.
- By 47 per cent to 18 per cent (with the rest saying “don’t know), people think access to the latest advances in health and medicine in their local area is better or the same as other parts of the country. (Conservative voters agree by 50-17; Labour voters by 51-19; Lib Dem voters by 50-16).
- By 52 per cent to 23 per cent, people think the access to the latest advances in health and medicine is good in their area. (Conservative voters agree by 56-23; Labour voters by 56-24; Lib Dem voters by 50-20; men by 51-23).
The poll also revealed that Alexander Fleming is the British scientist that has had the biggest impact on health and medicine. 38 per cent of people chose Fleming, the discoverer of penicillin, compared to Joseph Lister, the pioneer of antisepsis in surgery, in second place, chosen by 9 per cent. Asked which British innovation in the last 70 years has had the biggest impact on health and medicine, 21 per cent of people chose the first liver, heart and lung transplant. This was the top answer, compared to revealing the structure of DNA, chosen by 16 per cent, and the development of the CT scan, also chosen by 16 per cent.
Dr Sheuli Porkess, Deputy Chief Scientific Officer at the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry said:
“In its 70th year it’s clear that the British people’s commitment to the NHS is as strong as ever. They recognise Britain’s role as a scientific powerhouse and the need to protect and invest in its future. It’s heartening so see that people care about quality of life and eradicating disease – and the fact they are willing to get involved. We are pushing the boundaries of science every day. There are almost 7,000 potential new medicines currently being developed for many diseases, including mental health conditions, heart disease, rare diseases – with almost 2000 for cancer alone. We hope that some of these will be the breakthroughs that people in the UK have said they are hoping to see.”
Dr Ali Hansford, Head of Science Policy at the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry said:
“This personal commitment to medical advancement from the British population could help us to understand more about human health than ever before and to advance scientific research in complex diseases that we currently struggle to treat or cure.”
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