• 8 - 
through the continuing use of debilitated Microorganisms. Any tendency toward 
reduction In levels of "biological conta1nn)ent'' through the Introduction to 
Industry of acre robust, less highly debilitated organisms should be 
approached with great caution and will require careful reassessment of 
potential health risks. 
PRODUCT HAZARDS 
Product hazards In biotechnology are not likely to differ qualitatively from 
those encountered In other sectors of the pharmaceutical and chemical 
Industries; the fact that the Molecules encountered In biotechnology are the 
products of bioorganisms rather than of synthetic catalysis will not alter 
their reactivity or toxicity. However, exposure to biologically active 
products constitutes a serious class of potential hazard throughout the 
Chemical and pharmaceutical Industries and blotechnologic applications are not 
likely to be exempt from such hazards. 
Because of the physiological ly reactive nature of many biological and 
pharmaceutical products, exposures to even minute quantities of some may cause 
medically significant effects. Occupational exposures to products in other 
sectors of the pharmaceutical Industry have produced a spectnxn of Illnesses, 
Including gynecomastia (In the manuf acturing and packaging of estrogens) , 
Cushing's syndrome (In glucocorticoid manufacture),^^ nasal polyps (In 
12 
production of menthol cough drops), recurrent epistaxis (In compounding of 
ferrous sulfate), and toxic hepatitis (following exposure to Isopropanol plus 
carbon tetrachloride) The hazards of product exposure extend throughout 
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