Transhumanist UK welcomes and responds to the publication of the UK government's policy paper "UK Research and Development Roadmap".

Earlier this month, the UK government published a policy document with the stated vision "to attract global talent, cut unnecessary bureaucracy and cement the UK as a world-leading science superpower".

This roadmap document, rightly, recognises the critical importance of science, research, and innovation:

From the industrial revolution to the invention of radio, from vaccines to the World Wide Web, the contribution that science, research and innovation make to the world and people’s lives is unquestionable. Through a mix of curiosity and application, we have increased our understanding of ourselves, each other, and the world around us. Through inventiveness comes great progress.

Over 60 pages of A4, the policy document (PDF) contains a number of specific proposals, and requests feedback on the content. It describes itself as "the start of a big conversation on what actions need to be taken and how".

To move the conversation forwards, Transhumanist UK offers the following comments.