security conditions. This lack of accurate expression is 
a concept of central importance which is neither explained nor 
evaluated in the EIS. 
4l The full implications of using E. coli as the recipient 
host is not made clear in the DEIS. Genetic transfer between 
strains of like organisms is most common. E. coli are 
ubiquitious in the mautunalian gut and many E. coli can be con- 
verted into pathogenic forms by the tremsfer of certain plasmids. 
A recombinant E. coli K12 or an enfeebled E. coli could transfer 
pathogenic DNA to our gut bacteria even if they themselves would 
not long survive. The use of E. coli as the host organism for 
recombinant research is cause for great concern especially 
because the risks of recombinant experimentation are so totally 
unknown. If we do proceed with this technology and accept some 
risks then a host organism should be selected whose niche is 
not so intimately connected with human and mammalian bodies. 
A full disclosure of the hazards and implications of using 
E. coli should be included in the final EIS and a change in the 
host organism should be considered. 
- 10 - 
Appendix K — 90 
