cambridge, england

The Wellcome Trust's proposed Genome Campus extension is being opposed by the residents of the nearby villages of Hinxton and Ickleton — combined population of fewer than 1,000 — who see the plan as the thin end of a wedge.

Part of their opposition stems from a fear that the trust is planning an entire ‘genome village’, which they believe will destroy their rural way of life. Some also attack the glossy corporate image that the trust has developed, arguing that, although it may be successful in influencing government, it is out of touch with local feeling.

Michael Morgan, chief executive of the Hinxton campus, acknowledges this perception, and agrees that the trust could improve its links with local people. He is keen to dispel any perceptions that the Wellcome Trust, which prides itself on being the world's largest medical research charity, is a commercial organization.

But councillors and residents — who include retired academics, teachers and business people — say they do not want to be seen as anti-science. Many of those who spoke at last week's inquiry praised the government's efforts to support knowledge-driven economic growth.

Some refuted the idea of placing business units within walking distance of laboratories, for example, by pointing out that there are few examples of this in the United States. One retired scientist who later went into management says the idea that academics and entrepreneurs will happily share information during coffee breaks will not work in the long run.

“It might work when there are few companies on campus,” he says. “But when there are 50, there will be too much competition for that sort of thing.”