40 
1 could not spread in a natural environment, then clearly 
2 the other concerns are also diminished . 
3 "The conclusion of the Virology Workshop was 
4 that recombinant Di-JA organisms carrying viral inserts 
5 cannot be any more hazardous than the viruses tnemseives, 
6 and in some instances may provide an opportunity to work 
7 more safely with virulent acjents. 
8 "Replies to our surveys indicate that there 
9 are several projects currently underway directed specif- 
ic) ically toward risk assessment . Preliminary results as 
11 well as conclusions from the NIH/EMBO virology Workshop 
12 indicate that these studies are unlikely to reveal 
13 unknown hazards. 
14 "In summary, our analyses have revealed no 
15 scientific findings to justify any of the three concerns 
15 listed above. Wo risk unique to recombinant DWA nas been 
17 identified. Available evidence indicates that recombina- 
18 tions of the type made possible by this new technology 
19 can occur in nature- Evaluation of E. col i K 12 shows that 
20 this bacterium is essentially harmless, and that insertions 
21 of segments of foreign DN A into its genome cannot alter 
22 this property. With few exceptions, it seems likely that 
23 the same will prove true of other iiost bacteria. 
24 "These conclusions cannot uo ignored if the 
25 guidelines governing recombinant DMA research are to 
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