3 
1 . Applied Medical Advances * 
Utilizing recombinant DNA processes, scientists are now 
able to produce valuable human proteins. Human hormones may 
be yielded in formerly unavailable quantities thereby significantly 
improving therapy for certain medical conditions. 
For example, a combined effort of research teams at the 
University of California Medical Center, San Francisco, the 
City of Hope Medical Center in Los Angeles, and the Salk 
Institute in LaJolla, has recently resulted in the bacterial 
production of somatostatin, a hormone naturally produced in 
the brain. Somatostatin is significant medically because it 
blocks the production of growth hormones by the pituitary 
gland and blocks the action of insulin and glucogon. It is 
important, then, in the treatment of acromegaly — a form of 
giganticism — and also in the treatment of certain forms of 
diabetes. By the recombinant DNA technique the quantity of 
somatostatin produced from 100 gms. of bacteria in 2 gallons 
of culture medium is equal to the amount previously extracted 
from 500,000 sheep brains. 
Additionally, the isolation of the insulin gene and 
multiplication of the gene in bacteria is a propitious 
achievement and an important step in the eventual production 
of insulin. Thus, the recombinant DNA research has already 
become a valuable tool in progress against physical illness. 
2 . Medical and Agricultural Research 
Because the development of recombinant DNA research 
will lead to a fuller understanding of genetic mechansims in 
complex organisms, scientific discoveries in the aniticpation 
and prevention of genetic disorders and diseases may result. 
Similarly, knowledge of genetic processes promises to permit 
incorporation into the genetic structure of plants valuable 
traits, such as nitrogen fixation, that will increase food 
production. 1 / 
1 / Of course, science has already used genetics to benefit 
mankind (for example hybrid plants) but with a more complete 
understanding of the internal cell dynamcis a fuller benefit 
will become available. 
[Appendix C — 145] 
