Scientists beg EU to repeal new rules for clinical trials
Brussels Rory Watson

Thousands of academics and scientists across Europe are appealing to the European Union to repeal new legislation that they fear could seriously damage the prospects of non-commercial, academically led, patient focused clinical research.

Opponents of the new rules, which are due to come into effect on 1 May, are mounting a last ditch campaign. In the space of just two weeks they have collected signatures from over 2000 medical researchers, including some 150 professors of medicine and science, across Europe and further afield.

Their criticism is directed at the description of "sponsor" in the European Union�s good clinical practice legislation. In future, any individual or organisation in this position would have to take full legal and financial responsibility for the clinical trial.