§ Mr. Simon HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the procedure for ensuring that the non-military potential applications of work carried out with genetically modified organisms are identified and subsequently exploited; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. NeubertScientific work leading to the development of defensive measures against chemical and biological warfare, including the limited amount of work on genetically manipulated organisms, often has nonmilitary potential. It is identified by the scientists in the course of their experiments and reviewed by the independent medical, physical sciences and life sciences committees.
Where possible, the work is then exploited through contacts between the MOD's scientific staff and industry and scientific research organisations. The greater part of the work not disseminated in this way is published in open literature.