§ Mr. Alan SimpsonTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what analysis has been made of the propensity of bacteria in the human mouth and respiratory tracts to take up antibiotic resistance marker genes and other transgenic DNA. [100168]
§ Ms QuinThis issue is carefully considered by the Advisory Committee on Novel Foods and Processes as part of their rigorous safety assessment of genetically modified (GM) foods. The Committee has published two234W reports on the use of antibiotic resistance markers in GM plants for human food (in July 1994 and July 1996), copies of which have been placed in the Library of the House. In addition the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Foods funds a programme of R&D to underpin the safety assessment process which provides information on this and other issues related to GM foods.