HC Deb 17 October 1989 vol 158 c113W
Dr. Thomas

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if his Department has assessed the use of biotechnologically created bacteria to treat poisonous organic toxic wastes.

Mrs. Virginia Bottomley

Since 1975 we have been sponsoring research on the use of bacteria to treat difficult wastes, using their natural genetic changes. We are monitoring closely current developments in genetic manipulation.