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A Overview special committee convened by the Council of the National Academy of Sciences has reviewed key issues in the current discussion on the planned introduction into the environment of organisms genetically engineered using recombinant DNA (R-DNA) tech niques. The committee concludes that there is adequate knowl edge of the relevant scientific principles, as well as sufficient experience with R-ONA-engineered organisms, to guide the safe and prudent use of such organisms outside research labo ratories. Its key findings are that- ⢠There is no evidence that unique hazards exist either in the use of R-DNA techniques or in the transfer of genes between unrelated organisms. ⢠The risks associated with the introduction of R-ONA engineered organisms are the same in kind as those associated with the introduction into the environment of unmodified organisms and organisms modified by other genetic tech niques. Mounting concerns about environmental degradation, to gether with the pressing problems of ensuring adequate food and health care for a rapidly expanding global population, provide a compelling rationale for the accelerated study and development of biological organisms for use in agriculture, health care, and biosphere management. The committee con cludes that R-DNA techniques constitute a powerful and safe new means for the modification of organisms. The timely development and rational use of R-DNA-
7 engineered organisms in such contexts depend on the formula R-DNA Technology tion of sound regulatory policy that stimulates innovation without compromising good environmental management. There is a large body of relevant knowledge on the ecological consequences of biological introductions as well as on the k���- genetic modification of organisms by traditional breeding l methods. On the basis of this knowledge, the committee identi Plant. animal, or human cell fies the key biological and ecological parameters that must be Plasmid is nmoved evaluated to minimize the probability of damage to valuable Plasmid DNA from bacterium. � DNA is nmoved 0 ecosystems and maximize the benefits to be gained from bio � from cell nucleus. logical introductions. These include the biological properties of the organism, the source and target environments, and the vvv. Enzymes-called resoiction scale and frequency of the introductions. The committee fur enzymes-an used 10 cut open ther concludes that- the plasmid and cut out a gene from the DNA of another organism. ⢠Assessment of the risks of introducing R-ONA-engi 8��)t�:N��� neered organisms into the environment should be based on c;� the nature of the organism and the environment into which it will be introduced, not on the method by which it was � J modified. Acut plasmid ⢠There is an urgent need for the scientific community to � provide guidance to both investigators and regulators in evalu "' ating planned introductions of modified organisms from an o�o�� ecological perspective. . The cut ends of the plasmids and the cut ends of the �- ,;,;; 0 new genes an chemically "sticky" so they will attach 10 each other-ncombine-10 form a new loop containing �� the insened gene. This technique Is called "gene splicing" -..-;J or recombinant DNA technology.