§ Mr. DalyellTo ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to the letter of the hon. Member for Pontefract and Castleford of 16 April (ref DOH/3/5653/16), what action the Human Genetics Commission is recommending in relation to Japan Tobacco, Corixa, and lung cancer vaccine licensing. [57133]
§ Ms Blears[holding answer 10 June 2002]: The human genetics commission (HGC) is aware of the concerns surrounding US-patented lung cancer vaccines that have been licensed to an overseas tobacco firm. HGC will continue to consider the broader ethical and social implications of the patenting of genetic inventions and will take note of the findings of various reviews of patenting and intellectual property rights that are under way.