Gastroenterology research: where now?

The last 100 years has seen tremendous advances in gastroenterology research. In particular, there have been at least four Nobel prizes awarded to scientists, in part for their work in gastrointestinal (GI) physiology, pharmacology, medicine and pathology. The difficulty facing the specialty is that current evidence suggests that the vast majority of resources in gastro enterology are primarily aimed at management of symptoms and morbidity. GI disease accounts for 15% of all deaths in the UK, with twothirds of these attributable to GI cancers. It is surprising, therefore, that GI research receives less funding (two-thirds less) than its proportionate mortality compared with other major specialties. Since most GI disease (both cancer and noncancer) can be prevented, the recent advent of the comprehensive local research networks in the UK should provide an infrastructure for engagement of the community into clinical trials that may promote longevity.

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