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Written question asked by Michael Meacher (Labour) on Friday, 12 April 2013, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 17 April 2013. It was answered by Jo Swinson (Liberal Democrat) on Wednesday, 17 April 2013 on behalf of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.

Genetically Modified Organisms: Wheat

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills who holds the patents for the GM constructs encoding (E)-ß-farnesene synthase in wheat covered by release consent granted to Rothamsted Research issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in 2011 and funded by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council; and in which country each patent was granted.

[151723]

Answer

Constructs to be used in wheat (Triticum aestivum) covered by the release consent granted to Rothamsted Research (11/R8/01) by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in 2011 detail “one or both of the following synthetic genes: (E)-ß-farnesene synthase and farnesyl diphosphate synthase.”

Three patent applications explicitly disclosing the use of (E)-ß-farnesene synthase genes (from a variety of sources) in transgenic plants have been identified. None of these mention the use of the gene in wheat and it is

not clear which, if any of them, would be suitable for modifying wheat. The applications were filed under the Patent Cooperation Treaty and could potentially result in patents granted in a large number of countries. However, to date only one patent has been granted, in the United States. The holder for this patent is listed as Ceres Inc of California, USA. The other two applications were filed by Keygene NV and Sapphire Energy and Scripps Research Institute.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
151723; 561 cc489-490W
Session
2012-13
Subjects
Genetically modified organisms Patents Wheat Rothamsted Research
Link
View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk