§ Mr. MorleyTo ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list those United Kingdom patents that have been(a) granted and (b) applied for in respect of genetically engineered animals and processes for creating such animals. [33637]
§ Mr. Ian TaylorThere have been a total of 11 patent applications filed under the Patents Act 1977 and subsequently published relating to genetically engineered animals and/or processes for preparing them. Of these, eight have claims for both animals and processes and three have been granted. Two have claims for animals only and one of these has been granted. One has process claims only and has not yet been granted.
506WThe eight with claims for animals and processes are GB2282139, GB2272440, GB2247023, GB2233655, GB2229440, GB2228487, GB2227243 and GB2223755. The two with claims for animals only are GB2280186 and GB2236753 and the one with only process claims is GB2265909.
Those granted are GB22336753, GB2233655, GB2228487 and GB2227243.
§ Mr. MorleyTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what steps he is taking to ensure that United Kingdom patents are not granted in respect of genetically engineered animals and processes for creating such animals where the genetic engineering leads, or is likely to lead, to suffering or physical harm for the animals involved. [33638]
§ Mr. Ian TaylorPatents are granted when the requirements of the Patents Act 1977 are met. The Act prohibits the grant of a patent for an invention which would be generally expected to encourage offensive, immoral or anti-social behaviour. Such an objection would be raised only in a clear case. Decisions of the comptroller on the application of the Act are subject to appeal to the patents court.