Nobel prizes for science have been awarded to 70 British citizens, a greater number than for any other country apart from the United States.
Spending on scientific research and development in 1988 was about £10,300 million, 2-2 percent of gross domestic product. The Government takes responsibility for funding research in basic science.
The Science and Engineering Research Council supports fundamental research in pure and applied science, including engineering. With the other research councils, it is setting up interdisciplinary research centres.
The Medical Research Council supports major projects in all types of disease, including Alzheimer's disease and AIDS. The earth's resources, the oceans and the atmosphere are the concern of the Natural Environment Research Council. The Agricultural and Food Research Council supports work on crops and livestock.
The Government supports university research through the Universities Funding Council. Research on nuclear power is the responsibility of the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority, which also offers a contract research service to industry. The Ministry of Defense’s share of government research expenditure has fallen to some 45 per cent. Increasing emphasis is placed on its research funded jointly with industry. "Spin-off" from defense technology to the civil market is encouraged. British firms and academic institutions participate in European Community and other international programs.
Industry is the second major source of funds for research and development. There have been major advances in the development of optical fibre communications, systems. The pharmaceutical industry accounted for 10 per cent of manufacturing industry's research and development expenditure in Britain in 1989. British firms make 11 of the world's 50 best-selling medicines. In aerospace British companies play a major role.