§ Mrs. Anne CampbellTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what research has been carried out into the effect of insulin-like growth factor-I on human beings.
Mr. Robert G. HughesI have been asked to reply.
The effects of insulin-like growth factor-1, IGF-1, being a naturally occurring substance in humans, have been studied extensively and the Medical Research Council is currently funding a project on the effect of IGF-1 on binding protein in implantation and pregnancy. There are a large number of reports on research into IGF-1 on human beings which have been published in the international scientific literature. The MRC is always willing to consider soundly based proposals in competition with other applications for council's support, and funding decisions are dependent upon a peer review process.