from potentially hazardous novel organisms which might arise from 
such research. 
Addressing these questions, NIH formed a committee (the 
Recombinant DNA Molecule Program Advisory Committee) composed of 
scientists, many of whom were directly involved in recombinant 
DNA research, to draft guidelines governing the conduct of 
recombinant DNA research and establish safeguards to protect 
the public and the environment from potential hazards. The 
guidelines, applying only to NIH supported research, were made 
public June 23, 1976. Recognizing the far-reaching environmental 
consequences which could result if infectious or otherwise 
dangerous organisms able to compete successfully with existing 
organisms were to be produced by recombinant DNA research, and 
in response to requests from the public, NIH prepared a Draft 
Environmental Impact Statement which was released September 1, 
1976. 
The Impact Statement, in discussing the alternative of "no 
action," unambiguously concludes that regulation of recombinant DNA 
research and technology is essential for the protection of the public 
"the 'no action' alternative would greatly 
increase the probability that possible hazardous 
organisms would be released into the environment. 
... It is concluded that the 'no action' al- 
ternative would not afford adequate protection 
of laboratory workers, the general public, and 
the environment from the possible hazards des- 
cribed in section IV-C-1." (at p. 48). 
Some of the possible hazards which could arise either 
directly or as an inadvertent result of recombinant DNA research 
are discussed in Section IV-C of the Impact Statement. One may 
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