Peng Tee Khaw, professor of glaucoma and wound healing at Moorfields Eye Hospital in London, told BBC News Online the rats were fed a huge amount of MSG.

BBC: Food additives 'affect sight'

As well being sold to the DERA, skin was also used within the Trust to investigate wound healing and the preparation of artificial skin, as well as the treatment of burn wounds.

BBC: Skin sold for chemical research

Complications are rare, but can include wound-healing difficulties, infection and lack of bone healing.

CNN: Broken leg

Wound healing accounts for 3 - 5% of total NHS spend.

BBC: Patients wanted for maggots trial

In September HGS disclosed that its wound-healing agent, repifermin, had failed to heal venous ulcers in a trial of 352 patients.

FORBES: Beyond Talk