Synthetic Biology

Lord Haskel Excerpts

Wednesday 2nd June 2010 Lords Chamber

Asked By

[Lord Haskel]

To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they intend to review the regulation of synthetic biology in view of the recent creation of a synthetic organism.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Work and Pensions (Lord Freud)]

My Lords, the Government are confident that the majority of synthetic biology, including the recent work published in Science, is covered by existing regulations that govern work with genetically modified organisms in the UK. In the future, there is a possibility that some synthetic biology involving the creation of artificial cells could fall outside the scope of the current regulations. An amendment to the regulations is being considered to ensure that artificial cells will also be covered.

[Lord Haskel]

I congratulate the Minister on his appointment. This is his first time at the Dispatch Box answering a Question and I wish him every success. Although the Minister’s particular responsibility is welfare reform, his department deals with health and safety. As he is answering this Question, should we conclude that the Government think that synthetic biology is a risky and dangerous topic or does the Minister agree with me that there are a lot of possible benefits?

[Lord Freud]

My Lords, I thank the noble Lord for that slightly back-handed compliment. I confess that synthetic biology is not perhaps the central part of my expertise. However, I am pretty confident that the rules and regulations governing this area, which is very important for the future, are robustly under control.