HL Deb 12 March 2001 vol 623 cc64-5WA
The Countess of Mar

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the surveillance study of sheep dippers using organophosphate dips carried out by Dr Virginia Murray et al in 1991 and 1992, and which involved taking blood samples, classed as "research" for the purposes of medical ethical control; and, if so, whether the National Poisons Unit had an obligation to obtain Ethics Committee approval and informed written consent from each individual subjected to the study. [HL1085]

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath

The surveillance study of sheep dippers using organophosphate dips carried out by Dr Virginia Murray et al in 1991 and 1992, was research, carried out by issuing questionnaires that were filled in either by the patients or their general practitioners, and submitted by the GP. Blood samples were sent to the Medical Toxicology Unit for clinical purposes. It was not accepted practice at that time to obtain informed written consent from subjects before taking blood samples or issuing questionnaires. There was no obligation at that time to obtain Ethics Committee approval for the study.