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1 plant pathogens usually have restricted host ranges and 
2 limited geographic distribution. Consequently, I believe 
3 that it should be just as safe to work with a recombinant 
4 DNA made from a plant pathogen as it is to work with the 
5 pathogens themselves. 
6 I have spoken with a number of plant patholo- 
7 gists concerning the proposed revisions, and all of them 
8 are anxious to see the new guidelines implemented as soon 
9 as possible. When the proposed revisions are accepted, 
10 there will certainly be an increase in the number of 
11 plant scientists using this technique, and the benefits 
12 to agriculture could be tremendous. 
13 I, for one, would like to use cloning to 
14 establish the relationship between plasmids and virulence 
15 in Erwinia stewartii , an important pathogen of corn. 
16 On behalf of other plant pathologists, I urge 
17 this committee and Secretary Califano to accept the 
18 proposed revised guidelines at this time so that there 
19 will be no further delays in beginning important research 
20 on genetic improvement of crops, nitrogen fixation, and 
21 plant diseases, and in our understanding of the organisms 
22 involved. 
23 i appreciate the opportunity to express my 
24 views today. Thank you. 
25 MR. LIBASSI: Thank you very much. 
[ 2 7 6 ] 
