Asked by: Alicia Kearns (Conservative - Rutland and Melton)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps she is taking to ensure that private Chinese companies operating in the life sciences sector are adhering to UK ethical standards.
Answered by George Freeman
The Life Sciences sector in the UK is key to both the health and economic growth of our country and, through our new Department of Science, Innovation and Technology, this Government is committed to placing the UK at the forefront of global scientific and technological advances.
All life sciences companies operating in the UK must adhere to UK ethics standards, research codes of conduct and associated legal obligations. We will shortly publish our new UK Biological Security Strategy, under the umbrella of my Rt. Hon. Friend the Prime Minister’s Integrated Review, which will outline our approach to preventing biological threats as science and technology develops.
Asked by: Alicia Kearns (Conservative - Rutland and Melton)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what regulatory framework is in place for foreign parties that access and utilise human genetic resources when operating in the UK.
Answered by George Freeman
Organisations which hold human genetic data are subject to the UK General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). In addition, Genomics England, UK Biobank and NIHR BioResource actively consider national security in decision making about partnerships with companies overseas. These organisations consulted with security personnel on a regular basis to ensure partnerships are aligned with our national security interests.
The Human Tissue Authority, a non-departmental body of the Department for Health and Social Care, is the independent regulator of organisations that remove, store and use human tissue for research, medical treatment, post-mortem examination, education and training, and display in public. It enforces the Human Tissue Act 2004 which regulates the removal, storage and use of human tissue.
Asked by: Alicia Kearns (Conservative - Rutland and Melton)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, if she will publish a breakdown of the investments allocated to each of the four recipient companies of the Government’s Life Sciences Innovation Manufacturing Fund grants by proportion of public and private sector for each investment.
Answered by George Freeman
The first four grant recipients of the Life Sciences Innovative Manufacturing Fund were announced on 28th March 2023, which saw £277 million in joint government and industry backing to help Life Sciences companies grow and innovate.
Government grants have been supported by private investment from the successful companies. The proportion of the funding for each of the investments is as follows: