§ Mr. TylerTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many research projects concerned with aspects of gene science have been commissioned by his Department in each year since 1987; and if he will list these in date order.[16789]
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§ Mr. SpellarMy Department commissions research into a wide variety of what might be called genetic science applications, mainly in support of chemical and biological defence. Examples range from the use of gene probes to develop improved detection of biological warfare agents, to the use of genetic engineering for research into new vaccines. Most of this research is conducted at Porton Down, where an initial survey indicates that the number of genetic engineering projects undertaken since 1987 is as follows:
Year Number of projects 1987 8 1988 11 1989 19 1990 8 1991 12 1992 19 1993 15 1994 13 1995 8 1996 20 I am withholding details of these and similarly aimed research projects under the terms of exemption category 1 of the Code of Practice on Government Information.