HC Deb 20 November 1996 vol 285 cc576-7W
Mr. Ingram

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list the number of patents for human DNA sequences issued by the European Patent Office indicating(a) the country of origin and (b) if the organisation applying for the patent was from the private or public sector. [4973]

Mr. Ian Taylor

[holding answer 19 November 1996]: The way patent information is recorded does not permit direct retrieval of the information requested. However, research indicates that the patents granted for human DNA sequences are made up as follows:

  1. (a) The three main countries of origin are, in descending order, Japan, USA and Germany, with South Africa, Spain, UK, Israel and Australia following, again in descending order.
  2. (b) Over 70 per cent. come from the private sector.

To complete a full analysis to answer the question would involve disproportionate cost.

Mr. Ingram

To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many patents for human DNA sequences have been issued by(a) the British Patent Office and (b) the European Patent Office. [4972]

Mr. Taylor

[holding answer 19 November 1996]: The way information on granted patents is recorded does not permit retrieval of the information requested but, following research, I believe that the number of patents issued for human DNA sequences by the British Patent Office is between 10 and 20, while the number issued by the European Patent Office is between 70 and 130. A fuller analysis could be achieved only at disproportionate cost.