expand this list to include additional untoward health effects. 
The following are examples of potential threats to human health 
which could result from recombinant DNA research and technology: 
1. Most of the proposed and ongoing recombinant DNA 
research involves strains of the bacterium Escherichia 
coli (E. Coli ) as a host for plasmids containing DNA 
from other sources. E. coli is a common resident of 
the human colon, is responsible for nearly 100% of 
1 / 
human upper urinary tract infections^and for approxi- 
mately 30-40% of the cases of sepsis (infection of 
the human bloodstream) , which is often fatal. While 
the strains of E. coli used in recombinant DNA research 
(variants of strain K-12) do not normally colonize the 
human golon, they can under unusual conditions, parti- 
cularly in patients weakened by another disease state. 
Perhaps more serious, however, is the capacity of K-12 
strains of E. coli to exchanqe DNA with other similar 
~ 1 / 
or related organisms. Genetic exchange between E. coli 
*/ ~ 
and strains of Salmone 11a , a human pathogen, is well 
documented. Since the genetic de terminants in infec- 
tivity and virulence of bacteria are not understood, 
one must consider the possibility that even a seemingly 
trivial modification of the E. coli genome might greatly 
alter its capacity for infection and propagation within 
humans . 
1 / B. IT Davis , et al., Microbiology 768 (2nd ed. 1973). 
2/ Dr. Halstod Holman - Oral testimony before a hearing of the Sub- 
committee on Health of the Senate Committee on Labor and Public 
Welfare, Sept. 22, 1976 
3/ Davis, et al. , supra at 182-200 
4/ Id. at 194. 
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