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Conclusions S everal conclusions can be drawn from this review of the relationship between traditional genetic manipulation techniques and the R-ONA techniques developed dur ing the last 15 years, and of the experience gained from the application of each. .,.. There is no evidence that unique hazards exist either in the use of R-ONA techniques or in the movement of genes between unrelated organisms. .,.. The risks associated with the introduction of R-ONA engineered organisms are the same in kind as those asso ciated with the introduction of unmodified organisms and organisms modified by other methods. .,.. Assessment of the risks of introducing R-ONA engineered organisms into the environment should be based on the nature of the organism and the environment into which it is introduced, not on the method by which it was produced. To realize the potential benefits of genetic engineering with R-ONA methods, we must strike a wise balance between the thrust of innovation and the restraint of regulation and over sight Such a balance must rest on accumulated experience, scientific knowledge, and the judgment to discriminate among organisms and introductions that differ in their potential to cause ecological problems. Basic and applied scientists gener ally agree that many contemplated introductions are either vir tually risk-free or have risk-to-benefit ratios well within acceptable bounds. To avoid inhibiting the development and
23 testing of low-risk organisms for environmental use as an inad .,.. Genetically modified organisms will contribute substan vertent consequence of a justifiably cautious approach to high tially to improved health care, agricultural efficiency, and risk organisms, such as pathogens and noxious weeds, we must the amelioration of many pressing environmental prob create risk categories. A classification scheme must rest on lems that have resulted from the extensive reliance on considerations of several types, including the nature of the chemicals in both agriculture and industry. biological function affected or introduced by genetic engineer .,.. The timely development and the rational introduction of ing, the environment from which the organism was taken, the R-ONA modified organisms into the environment depend ecological characteristics of the R-ONA-engineered organism on the formulation of sound regulatory policy that stimu itsel( the characteristics of the recipient environment, and the lates innovation without compromising good environ scale and frequency of the proposed introductions. Moreove� mental management. the regulatory process must be cognizant of previous experi .,.. The scientific community urgendy needs to provide guid ence in the regulation of R-ONA and maintain flexible mecha ance to both investigators and regulators in evaluating nisms for the continuing modification of regulations based on planned introductions of modified organisms from an accumulated information and the deeper understanding of the ecological perspective. scientific principles involved. Intensive use of traditional genetic techniques has been cen tral to the improvement of nutrition and health throughout the world. Although the problems of managing the planet and its growing human population are not all subject to scientific and technological solutions, the intelligent and thoughtful applica tion of scientific advances must constitute a major part of any rational approach to health, nutrition, and biosphere manage ment Our discussion of R-ONA technology and the environ mental use of modified organisms leads to the following conclusions: .,.. R-ONA techniques constitute a powerful and safe new means for the modification of organisms.
References Gillett, J. W., et al., eds. 1986. Potential impacts of environmental Selander, R. K., D. A. Caugant, and T. S. W hittam. 1987. Genetic release of biotechnology products: assessment, regulation, and structure and variation in natural populations in Escherichia coli. research needs. Environmental Management 10:433-563. Pp. 1625-1648 in Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhimurium: Cellular and Molecular Biology, F. C. Neidhardt,]. L. Ingraham, Halvorson, H. 0., D. Pramer, and M. Rogul, eds. 1985. Engineered K. B. Low, B. Magasanik, M. Schaechter, and H. E. Umbarger, eds. Organisms in the Environment: Scientific Issues. Washington, Washington, D.C.: American Society for Microbiology. D.C.: American Society for Microbiology. Watson,j. D., andj. Tooze. 1981. T he DNA Story, A Documentary Keeler, K. H. 1985. Implications of weed genetics and ecology for History of Gene Cloning. San Francisco: W. H. Freeman. deliberate release of genetically -engineered crop plants. National Institutes of Health, Recombinant DNA Technical Bulletin (8)4: 165-172. Mooney, H. A., and J. A. Drake, eds. 1986. Ecological Studies 58: Ecology of Biological Invasions of Nonh America and Hawaii. New York: Springer-Verlag. National Institutes of Health. 1986. Guidelines for research involv ing recombinant DNA molecules. Federal Register 5l(May 7): 16958. National Research Council, Board on Agriculture. 1984. Genetic Engineering of Plants: Agricultural Research Opportunities and Policy Concerns. Washington, D.C.: National Academy Press. Office of Science and Technology Policy. 1986. Coordinated frame work for regulation of biotechnology. Federal Register 51(June 26): 23302. Olson, S. 1986. Biotechnology: An Industry Comes of Age. Washing ton, D.C.: National Academy Press.
