§ Mr. Allan RobertsTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if there are any research projects or proposals which will result in the testing or release of genetically engineered micro-organisms for defensive or offensive purposes by employees or agents of his Department;
(2) what provisions he intends to take to ensure that the technology for hostile or mischievous release of genetically manipulated micro-organisms does not become freely available.
§ Mr. SainsburyAll work carried out by my Department in connection with genetically engineered micro-organisms is designed to provide protection for our armed forces against the possible use of biological agents by an aggressor. No work is done for offensive purposes. There are no current research projects which would involve the release of any such micro-organisms to the environment. All such work complies fully with the procedures operated by the Health and Safety Executive.
§ Mr. Allan RobertsTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will seek to discover from the United States Department of Defence whether it has plans to develop and test genetically engineered micro-organisms capable of disrupting agricultural productivity following the release into the environment.
§ Mr. SainsburyProgrammes undertaken by the United States Department of Defence are a matter for the United States Government. However, I understand that all testing for protective purposes of genetically engineered organisms undertaken by the United States Department of Defence, as permitted by the 1972 biological weapons convention, is closely scrutinised by the United States Environment Protection Agency, and that there is no risk to agricultural production.