8 
Dr. Gottesman suggested Section V-A-2 should request an evaluation of the 
predicted effect of the genetic modification on the properties of the nonmodi fied 
parent organism in the environment. Dr. Colwell pointed out that Dr. Gottesman' s 
proposed language did not contain the concept of risk. 
Dr. Tolin suggested and Dr. Pimentel moved the following language: 
"Evaulation of whether or not the specific genetic modification (e.g., 
deletion, insertion, modification of species DNA sequences) would alter 
the potential for risk." 
Dr. Golwell suggested the words "significant adverse effects" can be substituted 
for the word "risk." Dr. Pimentel agreed to Dr. Colwell's suggestion. Dr. Pramer 
seconded the motion. 
By a vote of eleven in favor, none opposed, and no abstentions, the working group 
agreed to this proposed language for Section V-A-2. 
Dr. McGarrity drew the attention of the working group to Section V-A-3 which 
reads as follows: 
"Analysis of the tests conducted under contained environments would 
predict that the modified organism would behave no differently, except 
for the known genetic modification, from the nonmodi fied organism in the 
environment of the test site." 
Dr. Colwell suggested this section should request an analysis of the behavior 
of the modified organism in contained environments in relation to the behavior 
of the nonmodified parental organism in the test site. 
Dr. Fedoroff said Section V-A-3 should request an analysis of the evidence 
the modified organism will not behave differently, except for the proposed 
modification, than the parent organism in the test site. Dr. Pramer suggested 
for most proposals such an analysis would be conjecture or opinion. 
Dr. Miller proposed and moved acceptance of the following language: 
"Evaluation of results of tests conducted in contained environments to 
predict the behavior of the modified organism relative to its unmodified 
precursor . " 
Dr. Pimentel suggested the word "behavior" be modified by the word "ecological." 
Dr. Tolin suggested the words "nonmodified parent" be substituted for the words 
"unmodified precursor." She emphasized the contained systems used to test the 
organism should be similar to the field test site: e.g., if the organism is to 
be field tested in the desert, the working group wants information generated 
in contained systems similar to deserts and not data generated in hothouses. 
By a vote of eleven in favor, none opposed, and no abstentions, the working 
group accepted the modified language. 
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