Foreword 
This report examines the application of classical and molecular genetic technol- 
ogies to micro-organisms, plants, and animals. Congressional support for an assess- 
ment in the field of genetics dates back to 1976 when 30 Representatives requested a 
study of recombinant DNA technologx’. Letters of support for this broader study came 
from the then Senate Committee on Human Resources and the House Committee on 
Interstate and Foreign Commerce, Subcommittee on Health and the Environment. 
Current developments are especially rapid in the application of genetic technol- 
ogies to micro-organisms; these were studied in three industries: pharmaceutical, 
chemical, and food. Classical genetics continue to play the major role in plant and 
animal breeding but new genetic techniques are of ever-increasing importance. 
This report identifies and discusses a number of issues and options for the Con- 
gress, such as: 
• Federal Gox ernment support of R&D, 
• methods of improving the germplasm of farm animal species, 
• risks of genetic engineering, 
• patenting li\ ing organisms, and 
• public invoh ement in decisionmaking. 
The Office of Technolog\' Assessment was assisted by an advisory panel of scien- 
tists, industrialists, labor representatives, and scholars in the fields of law, economics, 
and those concerned with the relationships between science and society. Others con- 
tributed in two workshops held during the course of the assessment. The first was to 
investigate public perception of the issues in genetics; the second examined genetic 
applications to animals. Sixty reviewers drawn from universities. Government, in- 
dustry, and the law prox ided helpful comments on draft reports. The Office expresses 
sincere appreciation to all those individuals. 
An abbrex iated copy of the summary of this report (ch. 1) is available free of 
charge from the Office of Technology' Assessment, U.S. Congress, Washington, D.C., 
20510. In addition, the xx orking papers on the use of genetic technology in human and 
in veterinary medicine are ax ailable as a separate volume from the National Technical 
Information Serx ice. 
JOHN H. GIBBONS 
Director 
