HC Deb 01 December 1999 vol 340 cc215-6W
Mr. Baker

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many transgenic pigs have been released since 1 January under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 for export from the UK for use in(a) medical research and (b) breeding programmes; and to which countries they have been exported. [100702]

Mr. Mike O'Brien

49 pigs were exported in March and a further 40 in July. Both batches were exported to the United States of America for use in breeding programmes.

Mr. Baker

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many project licences have been issued during the current year for primates to be used in xenotransplantation procedures, broken down by(a) type of procedure, (b) severity banding of procedure, (c) number of primates used per procedure and (d) origin of primates used. [100701]

Mr. Mike O'Brien

One licence has been issued this year for kidney transplants from transgenic pigs to primates. The severity banding is moderate. 14 macaques were used in 14 procedures and all were obtained from the Philippines.

Mr. Baker

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many procedures have taken place under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 whereby baboons have been given humanised pig hearts; how many baboons were involved; and how many days each survived. [100703]

Mr. Mike O'Brien

Since the commencement of baboon studies in 1966, a total of 44 baboons have received transgenic pig hearts, with the longest survival time reaching 99 days. In addition, five animals received non-transgenic hearts.