Recombinant DNA technology permits the creation of organisms 
or viruses with an unprecedented genetic make-up which may have 
the potential of causing grave and irreversible harm to humans 
and the environment. The extent of our current knowledge does 
not allow us to predict all of the possible results of experi- 
ments involving the manipulation of genes. Because most of 
the present and proposed recombinant DNA research and technology 
involves the genetic modification of bacteria or viruses, there 
exists the potential danger of creating a highly deleterious 
communicable infectious agent that could be introduced into 
and spread among laboratory workers and/or the general popula- 
tion ( see infra , pp. 9 - 12 ) . 
Recognizing the potential hazards inherent in recombinant 
DNA research7 the National Institutes of Health (hereinafter 
1 / 
"NIH") on 23 June, 1976 promulgated guidelines which 
prohibit certain experiments where the potential risks to 
human health are deemed to be particularly high, and require 
a graded set of safety procedures for all other experiments 
( see 41 red ; Reg . No. 131, part II, pp. 27902-27943, July 7, 
1976) . NIH also filed a draft environmental impact statement 
(hereinafter the "impact statement") on 1 September, 1976, 
which sets forth some of the possible dangers of recombinant 
DNA research and technology ( see 41 Fed . Reg . No. 176, 
pp. 38425-44, Sept. 9, 1976). NIH indicated that the guide- 
lines are not a final statement of public policy on 
A/The petitioners take no position at this time concerning 
the adequacy of the safety standards set forth in these 
guidelines. 
[ 326 ] 
