Hazards of biotechnology

ABSTRACT

There is evidence for a vociferous minority of the public in some countries against the application of recombinant DNA [rDNA] technology. This has in part been fuelled by the planned, and in some cases actual, release of genetically engineered organisms into the environment. Scientists are agreed that some control of such releases is required but that the guidelines for such control should be internationally agreed. The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development [OECD] is the best body to do this. Scientists should co-operate with their own politicians and regulating bodies, be scrupulous in adhering to the agreed procedures and inform people in all walks of life about their work and the concept of risk assessment. These measures should help to avert the danger that the benefits of rDNA are lost to medicine and agriculture