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C. Description of Issues Raised by Recombinant DNA Research 
1. Possible Hazardous Situations 
Several of those commenting on the Draft EIS pointed out the lack 
of sufficient discussion of possible evolutionary consequences of the 
accidental dispersion of organisms containing recombinant DNA [2,20, 
25, 26, 29, 30]. The omission of this matter from the Draft EIS was 
based on several considerations, including the almost total lack of 
relevant scientific facts, the highly controversial nature of modern 
evolutionary theory, the consequent inability to impose a theoretical 
framework on the issue, and difficulties in analyzing the arguments of 
those who have expressed serious concern with this matter --difficulties 
that arise from the very general way in which the problem has been 
stated. While most of the issues discussed and evaluated in the EIS 
involve speculations and judgments, none is as conjectural as the 
question of evolutionary consequences. 
For these reasons it has been extremely difficult to deal with this 
issue in the formulation of policy. The text of the EIS, however, now 
includes a more complete discussion of the survival of organisms 
containing recombinant DNA molecules. In an effort to respond to the 
comments, the question is further described in Section VII-B-l-b 
of the EIS, and references are given to published discussions. 
2. Expected Benefits of Recombinant DNA Research 
The portion of this Section dealing with the use of recombinant DNA 
techniques to elucidate basic biological processes has been expanded. 
This should help readers to understand the uses and value of this new 
tool. Throughout the Section, additional references to the scientific 
literature and other documentation have been incorporated. 
3. Long-Range Implications 
A commentator suggested that it be made clear in this Section 
that conventional plant and animal breeding approaches do not include 
recombinant DNA experiments that are governed by the NIH Guidelines 
[37], The Draft EIS pointed out that recombinant DNA research methods 
may offer new opportunities for specificity and accuracy in animal 
breeding. However, a statement has been included to distinguish animal 
and plant breeding from recombinant DNA laboratory research. 
