Science does not come much bigger or better than the Accelerated Mass Spectrometer. This vast and complex machine was unveiled in York today by science minister Lord Sainsbury.

Drug companies from around Britain will use this incredible instrument to develop medicines more quickly and safely. The fact that it has been built here is a coup for York, and one that confirms the city's standing as a leading bio-science centre.

So it is fitting that the spectrometer was switched on to help launch the Science City York initiative.

This campaign aims to build on York's established success in the bio-science field. It seeks to develop two other inter-related industries, information technology and heritage and arts technology.

The ambition is a bold one: to establish York as an internationally recognised science city. Yet York established a global reputation for bio-science innovation within a matter of a few years. There is every reason to feel positive that this feat can be repeated for other technologies.

The people behind Science City York inspire confidence. It is the dynamism and determination of those involved in the partnership, including City of York Council and York University, that has taken us this far.

Nevertheless, scepticism about the benefits of an expanded science sector remain. Fears have been expressed that it creates new jobs for outsiders, rather than for York residents.

Those behind Science City York acknowledge that some work will go to incoming businesses. But of the 1,600 jobs they hope to create, about 1,000 are earmarked for local people.

Moreover, Science City should not be viewed as a conflict between insiders and incomers. A flourishing technology centre is good for York as a whole.

We are all aware of the fickleness of the global market. The best way to respond to growing job insecurity is to create a diverse economy.

York cannot rely solely on its traditional industries, such as confectionery and the railways, to keep its population in work. Neither is it sensible to depend too heavily on the service sector.

Science City York aims to create new wealth and new jobs. That will strengthen the local economy, making the city more capable of withstanding global market forces.

It is crucial that York embraces the technology sector. Schools and colleges must step up efforts to provide suitably qualified youngsters, and the Learning City initiative can do the same for adults seeking to expand their skills. Meanwhile, the work of scientists is still regarded as a fringe activity by many. They should strive to become further integrated into York. Once that has happened, we really will be on our way to becoming a Science City.

see NEWS 'Science centre to create 1,600 jobs'

see NEWS 'Why York is so stuck on science'

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.