§ Mr. Harry GreenwayTo ask the President of the Board of Trade how many patent applications have been received since 1985 for new microbes, plants and animals containing altered genes; what they were for; and which ones were approved.
§ Mr. LeighPatent applications in the field of genetic engineering invariably involve modification of the host. Microbes are, by far, the most common form of host, and it would be disproportionately expensive to ascertain the
228W
£ million Outturn Estimate Provision Plans 1988–89 1989–90 1990–91 1991–92 1992–93 1993–94 1994–95 21995–96 Technology Transfer DTI1 96.4 90.2 103.4 92.5 94.2 92.3 85.9 — Former DEn 9.6 9.0 12.3 10.5 12.5 14.3 15.4 — 106.0 99.2 115.7 103.0 106.7 106.6 101.3 — Industrial Innovation1 94.3 74.5 67.6 82.0 85.9 92.3 104.5 — 1 Figures relate to DTI expenditure plans prior to April 1992 before the (partial) merger with the former Department of Energy. 2 Figures for 1995–96 will be published in the 1993 annual review shortly. precise number. The number of applications relating to plants and animals is far fewer. There have been six published applications relating to plants, on which patent have been granted for five. These relate to the introduction of self-pollinating characteristics, herbicide resistance, disease resistance and male sterility. There have been seven published applications relating to animals, patents having been granted on three. These relate to sheep which produce stronger wool, genetically identical cattle and the introduction of genes to produce therapeutic proteins. This investigation has been restricted to those applications filed under the Patents Act 1977 which have proceeded at least to publication.