11 
community but or the public as well, including all those who participated 
in the public hearing on the guidelines. 
The prudence and caution inherent in the guidelines must also be 
reflected in patent policies underlying administration of recombinant 
DNA research inventions. 
Conclusion 
In summary, the potential benefits and risks of recombinant DNA 
research have posed a singular challenge. The prospects of harnessing 
these techniques to the benefit of man are indeed great. From what we 
know today, we must assume that if these promises are to be realized, 
our efforts must be marked by extraordinary diligence to avoid harm. 
This combination of benefits and risks provides not only opportunity but 
obligation for the scientific community and the public to proceed 
together in assessment of risks and benefits and to agree upon procedures 
that will allow the continuation of these investigations under conditions 
of minimal risk. 
Our immediate task is threefold: First, to maintain a satisfactory 
process for updating and revising the guidelines in the light of both 
public scrutiny and new research developments. Secondly, to pursue 
steps to ensure that all sectors of the scientific enterprise in this 
country concur and adopt these or comparable guidelines, and to use all 
influence available to us to encourage a consistent policy throughout 
the world. Thirdly, we must now, in concert with all interested parties, 
consider whether additional measures to assure a common approach to 
problems here are advisable. Let me assure the Committee that the 
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