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antibiotics, steroids and other substances by fermentation has been outstanding. 
There is no reason to believe that the fail-safe systems employed in the engi- 
neering of such large-scale fermentation and processing equipment would be any 
less efficient than those employed in recombinant DNA operations. By compari- 
son to other industrial processes, including the production of potent chemicals 
and biological products, the risk to workers and to the public of industrial recom- 
binant DNA technology is probably minimal. 
It is also important in assessing relative risk to consider the technical 
competence of those engaged in recombinant DNA research or production. Most 
of the research in this field is being conducted in laboratories that are super- 
vised by persons with advanced scientific training. It is reasonable to assume 
organisms they employ 
that they are familiar with the nature of the / and that their laboratories are in 
compliance with the NIH Guidelines, including the training of non- professional 
technical personnel and medical surveillance of all laboratory personnel. It is of 
interest and importance in this context to note that prior to the discovery of re- 
combinant DNA techniques and the perceived need for guidelines, microbiological 
research and production of bacterial and viral vaccines was subject only to the 
commonly accepted principles of good laboratory practices, and in the case of 
production of biological products, to the recognized need for stringent self- 
imposed rules for physical containment, including the protection of scientists and 
other personnel engaged in such work. The safety record of these well- 
established procedures speaks for itself. 
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