Science academies flag research priorities ahead of G7 summit

National science academies in the G7 countries have identified three major areas of concern they want leaders to discuss at the G7 summit in Germany later this year. Statements highlighting concerns about antibiotic resistance, neglected tropical diseases and human impacts on oceans have been signed by all seven heads of the academies and passed to their respective governments.

The first statement highlights the growing problem of antibiotic resistance, and calls for governments to invest in research into new treatments for infectious diseases. The second calls for intensified research on neglected tropical diseases and the third for greater action on carbon dioxide emissions, pollution and overfishing to prevent further damage to marine ecosystems.

‘Science has an important role to play in tackling these issues but this cannot happen without the support and leadership of the G7 governments,’ said Paul Nurse, president of the Royal Society, which gave the statements to the UK government. ‘If we are to avoid a situation where people are dying of infections that are easily treated now, nations around the world, led by the G7 countries, need to act now.’