3 
on an apparent misunderstanding of the nature of the materials 
to be used in the experiment. Plaintiff's affidavits are 
based on the belief that the experiment here in question will 
be conducted utilizing a common strain of escherichia coli 
(E coli) as the host-vector for the planned studies. Signi- 
ficantly, the NIH guidelines "prohibit certain kinds of 
recombinant DNA experiments which include virtually all the 
known hazards -- for example, those involving known infectious 
agents . " 
The research is now restricted by these guidelines 
to implanting any new genes into enfeebled strains of E coli, 
a human gut bacteria that has been modified even further to 
make it safe as the new DNA's laboratory host. In the planned 
experiment a derivative of E coli K-12, which has been 
specifically designed to "self destruct", will be employed. 
E coli K-12 is unable to colonize within the human intestinal 
tract and causes no known human or animal disease. See EIS 
at page 73. This EK2 host-vector system will not survive 
passage through the intestinal tract of animals and will "die 1 
because of its dependency on chemicals not found in nature. 
Defendants further point out that the complete 
experiment will be conducted in P4 physical containment 
laboratories which have been shown to safely contain microbes 
presenting a known and demonstrable hazard to man. For each 
certified EK2 system, "Appendix H, page 10 of the EIS", NIH 
reviews extensive scientific data to determine that the 
system meets the standards for safety. EIS at 81. See NIH 
guidelines. Appendix D, page 15. It is evident, therefore, 
that there is actually a two step distinction between the 
common strains of E coli which "do live in people" and the 
EK2 host-vector system which will be used in these experi- 
ments. 
[Appendix C — 9] 
