HC Deb 04 May 2000 vol 349 c212W
Joan Ruddock

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 8 March 2000,Official Report, column 744W, on genetically modified crops, if he will list the antibiotics to which marker genes used in the production of genetically modified animal feed convey resistance and the medical uses of those antibiotics. [120723]

Ms Stuart

The antibiotic resistance marker genes in question are among those detailed in the reply given to my hon. Friend on 8 March 2000,Official Report, column 744W, to which she refers. Not all of these marker genes have been used in products capable of use for animal feed. Those which have are listed in the table:

Gene Antibiotic
Kan (nptII or neo) Amnioglycoside antibiotics including kanamycin and neomycin
Strep/spec (or aad) Streptomycin and spectinomycin
Amp (or bla) Narrow spectrum lactam antibiotics such as ampicillin and amoxycillin

The medical use of these antibiotics is as given in the previous reply.