III. THE PLACE OF RISK/BENEFIT ANALYSIS IN SCIEN- 
TIFIC RESEARCH— DNA RECOMBINANT RESEARCH AS 
A CASE HISTORY 
A. Introduction 
Chairman Thornton pointed out that the testimony of the various 
witnesses frequently made reference to the problem of evaluating the 
risks and benefits of DNA recombinant molecule research. In fact, it 
was obvious during much of the testimony that risk/benefit analysis 
has become an increasingly important factor in judging many issues 
in science policy, science and technology. However, the value of 
risk/benefit analysis becomes more and more tenuous as the esti- 
mates include highly speculative data. An important question ad- 
dressed during these hearings was: What are the utility and limita- 
tions of risk/benefit analysis techniques in decisions involving science 
and technology? Since a focus of attention during the hearings was the 
DNA recombinant molecule research issue, the risks and benefits 
perceived for this area of research received primary emphasis. How- 
ever, the broader scope of decision-making in science policy also 
was addressed by several of the witnesses in an attempt to highlight 
some of the major principles of risk/benefit analysis. 
B. Risk/Benefit Debates in DNA Recombinant Molecule 
Research 
As noted on several occasions during the hearings, one of the bene- 
fits of the DNA recombinant technology is that the function and 
organization of genes can be studied as they relate to an understand- 
ing of disease. The use of this technique could speed the acquisition 
of this knowledge. Until this knowledge is available, it will be im- 
possible to predict how or in what specific applications such knowledge 
will be important. It was emphasized that DNA recombinant tech- 
nology is a tool of research and in itself offers no benefits. It is the 
information which can be extracted by using this tool that offers a 
potential for benefiting mankind. Like the benefits of other basic 
research in biology, it is impossible to predict with a high degree of 
precision just what these benefits will be. As an example, Dr. Balti- 
more pointed out that one of the leading investigators in basic research 
of the causes of cancer believes that much more work is necessary. 
DNA recombinant molecule research is an important tool for this 
work. Those who believe that prevention is more important than 
cure of this disease must recognize that before prevention is possible, 
cause must be determined. Other witnesses pointed to the high in- 
cidence of genetic disease and the need to acquire knowledge about 
these diseases. It may even be possible eventually to provide a perma- 
nent correction for such harmful defects. 
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[Appendix B — 78] 
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