HC Deb 14 November 1989 vol 160 cc220-1W
34. Mr. Dunnachie

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what contribution he plans to make to the Human Genome Organisation in 1989–90 and in each of the following four financial years.

Mr. Jackson

I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave to the hon. Member for Carlisle (Mr. Martlew) on 6 November at col.422.

53. Mr. Terry Davis

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what assessment he has made of the clinical and scientific importance of the research objectives of the Human Genome Organisation.

Mr. Jackson

The target of obtaining a complete map —and eventually perhaps a complete nucleotide sequence —of the human genome is supported by the Medical Research Council; and my right hon. Friend allocated funds earlier in the year for the council's activities in this field, which will link with related international research. The Human Genome Organisation (HUGO) is an independent international body which includes a number of senior United Kingdom scientists. Neither the Department nor the Medical Research Council has made an assessment specifically of the research objectives of HUGO.