HC Deb 03 May 1955 vol 540 cc1497-8
28. Dr. Stross

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works, as representing the Lord President of the Council, whether, in view of the difficulty in obtaining a sufficient number of monkeys to provide the new vaccine for use against poliomyelitis, he will encourage by all possible means research on the use of an alternative medium.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works (Mr. J. R. Bevins)

The current programme of poliomyelitis research co-ordinated by the Medical Research Council may show whether there is any practicable alternative to the use of monkeys in preparing a poliomyelitis vaccine, but I am advised that an adequate substitute for monkeys is unlikely to be found in the near future for a vaccine of the Salk type. It is hoped, however, that adequate supplies of monkeys will be available again shortly.

Dr. Stross

Whilst thanking the Minister for his reply, may I ask whether he will not accept the view that it is rather nauseating to think in terms of breeding and destroying so many of these tiny creatures whose kidneys have to be used for this purpose? Will he give an assurance that every possible means will be tried to find a substitute, which in the long run may be better as well as simpler?

Mr. Bevins

I can assure the hon. Member that research to find a promising substitute is going on.

Mr. Philip Bell

Will my hon. Friend consider carrying out experiments on Gadarene swine?

Mr. Peter Freeman

In view of the fact that at least 12 children have already been killed by this vaccine, will the hon. Gentleman give an assurance that no injection with this vaccine of any child in this country will be permitted without the prior sanction of the parent or guardian? Will he also indicate what methods he proposes to adopt to prove that this vaccine is efficient and free from danger without experimenting on small children?

Mr. Bevins

These questions hardly arise out of the Question, but I can assure the hon. Member that before any of this type of vaccine is used in this country it will be very carefully tested on monkeys or some other suitable animal.

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