§ Adam PriceTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many patents involving life forms have been granted in the last five years. [145352]
§ Mr. TimmsWithin the five year period from the beginning of 1999 to the end of 2003, 233 UK patents were granted which relate to life forms in general. This includes 47 patents relating to higher life forms, such as plants or animals, of which 13 specifically relate to animals.