Skip to main content

Science, Innovation and Technology

Volume 729: debated on Thursday 9 March 2023

Genomics and National Security

The following are extracts from the debate on Genomics and National Security in Westminster Hall on 8 March 2023.

Let me start, as the right hon. Gentleman did, by reminding listeners and viewers of what a success story British genomics has been, going right back to Watson and Crick’s famous pint in the Eagle in Cambridge—and, in this International Women’s Week and week of women’s science, let us not forget the third discoverer of DNA, the great Mary Black at King’s College London.

[Official Report, 8 March 2023, Vol. 729, c. 117WH.]

Letter of correction from the Minister of State, Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, the hon. Member for Mid Norfolk (George Freeman):

An error has been identified in my response to the debate.

The correct response should have been:

Let me start, as the right hon. Gentleman did, by reminding listeners and viewers of what a success story British genomics has been, going right back to Watson and Crick’s famous pint in the Eagle in Cambridge—and, in this International Women’s Week and week of women’s science, let us not forget the third discoverer of DNA, the great Rosalind Franklin at King’s College London.

I had been prepared to pay tribute to the work of BGI when my officials pointed out that at that point Genomics England was suffering several hack attacks from BGI each week.

[Official Report, 8 March 2023, Vol. 729, c. 120WH.]

Letter of correction from the Minister of State, Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, the hon. Member for Mid Norfolk (George Freeman):

An error has been identified in my response to the debate.

The correct response should have been: