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2 
binant DNA will improve the understanding of funda- 
mental biological processes ; 
(2) the knowledge gained from such research and 
other activities may be of great benefit to medicine and 
agriculture and may provide many other benefits to 
society ; 
(3) while no hazard has been demonstrated, un- 
certainties exist regarding the extent to which organisms 
or viruses containing recombinant DNA may present a 
risk of injury to health or the environment, and there is 
a risk that any such potentially hazardous organisms or 
viruses may spread quickly and without warning to per- 
sons, agricultural plants and products, and other items 
in or affecting commerce ; 
(4) the public interest requires that until the un- 
certainties regarding the potential hazards of organisms 
and viruses containing recombinant DNA are resolved, 
the health and welfare of the population of the United 
States be protected from such hazards, and commerce 
in the United States is dependent upon such protection 
being provided ; and 
(5) to effectively accomplish such protection and 
consequently to effectively regulate commerce requires 
that any activity involving organisms or viruses con- 
[Appendix B — 4] 
