§ Mr. BakerTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on Government policy towards the use of genetically engineered pigs as sources of organs for transplant into humans. [92666]
§ Mr. HuttonThe use of genetically modified animals, as with all aspects of xenotransplantation, needs to be monitored closely. The United Kingdom Xenotransplantation Interim Regulatory Authority (UKXIRA) acts as the focal point for consideration of all xenotransplantation issues as well as advising the Government on the acceptability of specific applications to undertake xenotransplantation procedures.
The transplantation of animal tissue into humans, offers a potential solution to the current shortage of human organs and tissue for transplantation. It also offers the possibility of new treatments for conditions such as Parkinson's disease. Clearly, there are many difficulties yet to be overcome with this new technology, not least the problem of rejection of tissue transplanted between different species. The genetic modification of animals, most notably pigs, may provide a solution to this problem.
The view of the UKXIRA and of the Government is that, while recognising that the problems in this field are not to be underestimated, the potential of xenotransplantation should continue to be explored.