Recombinant DNA and Genetic Experimentation contains papers from the Proceedings of a Conference on Recombinant DNA held in London on April 1-4, 1979. This books reviews recombinant DNA research and discusses advances in the application of recombinant DNA research and the regulations affecting such research. Part 1 of the book deals with recombinant DNA techniques that are useful in the biological perspective. These techniques include tests for rare gene exchanger and laboratory genetic manipulations. Part 2 addresses the achievements of recombinant DNA research such as the detection of homologous sequences and progress made in the research of animal viruses. Part 3 discusses the practical benefits of recombinant DNA research, covering topics such as the production of valuable proteins in alternate biological hosts. These proteins are shown as being valuable to society, besides being scientific curiosities. An important presentation is Part 4 of the symposium, which discusses the guidelines and legislations affecting recombinant DNA research such as prior restraint, prohibitions, risks, and approval of the conduct of such experiments. Part 5 concerns a review of the basic assumptions made in the symposium, while Part 6 tackles the question of what options are left open in the international arena, in the medical field, and in the eyes of the public. This collection of papers can prove beneficial for molecular biologists, DNA researchers, molecular geneticists, ecologists and endocrinologists, and pharmacologists.

PrefaceParticipantsIntroduction and WelcomeThe Purpose of the MeetingRecombinant DNA Techniques Put into Biological Perspective Chairman's Introduction Evolution and Stability of Species Discussion Organization and Evolution of the Eukaryotic Genome Discussion Natural Modes of Genetic Exchange and Change Discussion Transposons and Insertion Sequences Discussion Laboratory Genetic Manipulations DiscussionAchievements of Recombinant DNA Research Experimental Techniques and Strategies for DNA Cloning Application of Recombinant DNA Technology in the Molecular Genetics of Prokaryotes New Insights into the Molecular Genetics of Animals Discussion Recombinant DNA and Animal Viruses: Progress and Prospects Discussion Chairman's Introduction New Insights into the Molecular Genetics of Fungi and Plants Discussion Recombinant DNA and Agricultural Research Discussion Expression of Foreign Genes DiscussionPractical Benefits of Recombinant DNA Research Chairman's Introduction Production of "Valuable" Proteins in Alternate Biological Hosts The Expression of a Cloned Rabbit Chromosomal ß-Globin Gene in Mouse L Cells and Yeast DiscussionGuidelines and Legislation Chairman's Introduction A History of the Recombinant DNA Guidelines in the United States The Early History of the Recombinant DNA Molecule Program Advisory Committee of NIH How the NIH Recombinant DNA Molecule Committee Works in 1979 Discussion Guidelines, Legislation and Labor Relations Discussion Recombinant DNA Guidelines and Legislation Summary of Report to COGENE of the Working Group on Recombinant DNA Guidelines DiscussionRe-examination of Basic Assumptions Chairman's Introduction Why the "Berg" Letter was Written Discussion Biological Activity of Polyoma-Plasmid and Polyoma-Phage Recombinants in Mice and Hamsters Infectivity of Polyoma Virus-Plasmid pBR322 and Polyoma Virus-Lambda Recombinants in Mouse Fibroblasts Discussion Second Report of the COGENE Working Group on Risk Assessment Discussion What Lessons Does the Recombinant DNA Debate Teach Us - A Round Table Discussion DiscussionWhat Options are Now Open? Chairman's Introduction International Legal Aspects of Recombinant DNA Research Discussion Recombinant DNA: A Public Health Viewpoint Discussion The View of a Science Journalist Discussion Historical Perspectives on the Recombinant DNA Controversy The Public Perception of Risk Discussion The View of a Legislator and a Summary of the Conference