3. In the section entitled The Recombined DNA May 
Itself Cause Pathogenic or Toxic Effects , the example given is 
the . . . "increased virulence of a mildly pathogenic bacteria" 
(p. 24) . The possibility of creating a new, strongly pathogenic 
bacteria is not discussed nor is the possibility that a 
recombinant might confer a selective advantage to the pathogen 
with possible disastrous consequences. 
C. NO DISCUSSION OF RELEVANT SCIEIITIFIC LITERATURE 
The DEIS does not include relevant available 
literature which either supports or contradicts some of its 
claims regarding biological aspects of the research. Readers 
cannot be expected to accept blanket statements on good faith. 
Examples of this treatment are the following; 
1. On p. 53, E. coli K 12 is said to most closely 
approximate an ideal host for recombinant research and as such 
is recommended for use in the Guidelines. No relevant 
information on the K 12 strain is given such as its rates of 
genetic exchange with other wild type E. coli , or the mechanisms 
by which K 12 could be made pathogenic through recombinant 
research both intentionally and unintentionally. There is 
no discussion of the fact that many pathogenic E. coli strains 
exist. Two out of every 1000 patients who enter Boston 
hospitals die from E. coli infections (New England Journal 
of Medicine, 1976) . 
- 12 - 
Appendix K — 92 
