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---- --- ·-----""""'=== Introduction of Recombinant - DNA-Engineered Organisms into the Environment: Key Issues Prepared for the Council of the National Academy of Sciences Ala-h 01tt 1 Re;../a., Nl (1 u ,, � 1.:.. (I 1 � ) '' Committee on the PROPERTY OF Introduction of Genetically Engineered Organisms into the Environment NRC LIORARV NATIONAL ACADEMY PRESS Washington, D.C. 1987
CH "-!�� â¢A.j J 19)1? C'j The National Academy of Sciences is a private, nonprofit, self perpetuating society of distinguished scholars engaged in scientific and engineering research, dedicated to the funherance of science and technology and to their use for the general welfare. Upon the authority of the chaner granted to it by the Congress in 1863, the Academy has a mandate that requires it to advise the federal govern ment on scientific and technical matters. Dr Frank Press is president of the National Academy of Sciences. A limited number of additional copies of Introduction of Recombinant DNA-Enginttrtd Organisms into tht Environment: Kty lssuts are available from the Board on Basic Biology, National Research Coun cil, 2101 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20418.
3 Committee on the Introduction of Staff of tht Board on Basic Biology. Genetically Engineered Organisms National Rtstarch Council into the Environment Dt john E. Burris, Director Dt Clifford). Gabriel, Staff Offictr DR. ARTHUR �<ELMAN. Chairman Ms. Kathy L Marshall, Stnior Stcrttary Depanment of Plant Pathology Ms. Unda Starke, Consultant Editor University of Wisconsin-Madison Madison, Wisconsin DR. WYATT ANDERSON Depanment of Genetics University of Georgia Athens, Georgia OR. STANUY fALJ(OW Depanment of Medical Microbiology Stanford University Stanford, California OR. NINA v. FEOOROFF Depanment of Embryology Carnegie Institution of Washington Baltimore, Maryland OR. SIMON l..EvlN Section of Ecology and Systematics and Director; Center for Environmental Research and Ecosystems Research Center Cornell University Ithaca, New York
Preface
5 D uring the past few years, discussions on the intro sought advice from ecologists, molecular biologists, geneticists, duction into the environment of organisms modi and applied biologists. It is not the objective of this paper to fied by recombinant DNA techniques have resolve the questions pertaining to the establishment of specific reflected the concerns of the scientific community, regulations or guidelines governing release procedures. Never the biotechnology industry, and the general public. A wide theless, careful consideration was given to the criteria that are range of viewpoints has been presented both in scientific publi essential in establishing categories of risk. cations and in the mass media. During this period, the develop ment of widely acceptable, scientifically based regulations at both the federal and state levels has been greatly delayed. Although progress has been made, there is still a great need to distinguish between real and hypothetical problems. A need also exists to assess in a rational manner concerns about possi FRANK PREss ble adverse environmental effects. To this end, the Council of President the National Academy of Sciences issues this paper, "Introduc National Academy of Sciences tion of Recombinant DNA-Engineered Organisms into the Environment: Key Issues:' A substantial body of knowledge has accumulated on the laboratory use of recombinant DNA-engineered organisms, on organisms that have been modified by traditional genetic pro cedures, and on the introduction of both genetically modified and nonmodified organisms into agricultural and natural envi ronments. This paper draws upon research and past experience in these areas and applies the relevant scientific principles to the issues surrounding the introduction of recombinant DNA engineered organisms into the environment The paper was prepared by a committee of biologists who represent a broad range of disciplines and experience. In an effon to obtain a balanced review of the issues, the committee