perhaps, Its ability to compete for ecological niches; the organism 
might be afforded an advantage (It extends Its realm) or a 
disadvantage (Its range contracts) and this alteration of the 
environmental balance of organisms could have deleterious 
effects for human beings (e.g. reducing the occurrence of an 
economically Important species) or for ecological well-being 
Itself . 
Therefore, I urge you not to relax the Guidelines regarding gene 
deletions. The proponents of such a change do not seem to have satisfied a 
reasonable burden of proof to Justify It. 
Philip L. fcereano 
Associate Professor 
-ftccr-ce-arr sea wwrcr i'jxj-e. ' * 
