Plans by the British government to terminate or merge dozens of its scientific advisory and regulatory bodies drew dismayed cries from researchers earlier this year, when details first emerged. At the time, alarm focused on high-profile casualties such as the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority. But as official information on the fate of UK 'quangos' -quasi-autonomous non-governmental organizations - was released last week (see 'Stoking the bonfire'), fresh fears emerged about the potential loss of independent scientific advice.
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