§ Mr. Simon HughesTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on Her Majesty's Government's policy regarding genetic patenting and genetically modified organisms; and what consultations he has had with interest groups on these subjects.
§ Mr. LeighI have been asked to reply.
The use of genetically modified organisms offers significant potential for industrial innovation across a wide range of sectors, and promises significant benefit in healthcare and pollution abatement. The Government aim to foster its adoption by industry, where appropriate, through collaborative research and technology transfer, to maximise wealth creation from our excellent science research. To this end, patents should be available for inventions in the field of genetic engineering provided normal requirements of patent law are met.
251WSafe application of the techniques will be ensured by new regulation under the Health and Safety at Work, etc. Act 1974 and the Environmental Protection Act 1990, which implements EC directives on the deliberate release to the environment of genetically modified organisms and the contained use of genetically modified organisms. Public consultation is underway on the detail of the proposed regulation. The Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment advises the Secretary of State and the Health and Safety Commission on the human and environmental safety aspects of releases of all types of novel organisms into the environment; its membership is drawn from a wide range of backgrounds, including the science base, industry, local authorities, farmers and environmental interest groups.
Certain possible applications of genetic modification give rise to strong views in areas of legitimate public interest and concerns. The Government are reviewing the ethical implications arising from genetic modification and welcomed the establishment of the Nuffield Council on Bioethics which is examining ethical issues related to genetic research. The Committee on the Ethics of Gene Therapy has given guidance for the medical profession on the treatment of genetic disorders.