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• certain enzymes, such as fibrinolysin and urokinase 
(promising agents in the treatment of embolism) and 
lysosomal enzymes. [It has already been shown that a 
500 -fold increase over the normal amount of one 
E. coli enzyme can be attained by recombinant DNA 
techniques (26).] 
(2) Endowment of Plants with New Synthetic Capabilities 
Whole plants may be generated from a single cell, and thus 
insertion of recombinant DNA into such cells might make it possible 
to endow plant species with the capability of-- 
• improved photo synthetic fixation of carbon dioxide 
• nitrogen fixation by presently inept species (thereby 
reducing the need for chemical fertilizers that are 
costly or cause pollution--e. g. , eutrophication) 
• producing a higher quality or quantity of food protein 
(3) Some Industrial Applications 
A number of industrial processes utilize microorganisms containing 
enzymes (which are proteins) to produce important chemicals (e.g., 
steroid hormones, vitamins, or other drugs) or foodstuffs (e.g., cheese). 
Such processes could be improved through innovations effected by DNA 
recombinant research. Completely new biosynthetic reactions may 
thereby become available, permitting the synthesis of large amounts 
of complex and valuable compounds with ease and at low cost (27). 
Some highly speculative applications relate to the area of energy 
production and neutralization of pollutants - -e. g. , as in oil spills. 
Genetic modification through DNA recombination might make it possible 
to devise microorganisms tailor-made for such important purposes. 
3. Long-Range Implications 
Another major issue in recombinant DNA research is its long-range 
implications. The experimental situations treated in the Guidelines 
are those that appear feasible either currently or in the near future. 
The experiments primarily involve insertion of recombined DNA into 
bacteria or into single cells derived from more complex organisms 
and maintained under special laboratory conditions. It is only in the 
case of plants that the Guidelines cover experiments involving insertion 
of DNA into cells capable of developing into complex, multicellular 
organisms. The Guidelines and the discussions leading to their develop- 
ment have focused on problems of safety. 
