ABSTRACT
This chapter describes some special problems faced by the public health and environmental communities as they formulate responsible positions for the public policy debate that will accompany congressional action on biotechnology. It considers the problems associated with the introduction of novel, genetically engineered organisms into the environment. The chapter shows that the public interest requires public health and environmental groups to advocate exploitation of biotechnology for public purposes. When Congress approached the issue of environmental and public health regulation, it was recognized that the growing commercial interest in biotechnology represented a greater hazard than the early days of academic research. Congress can provide a legislative antidote to the commercial logic which results in social neglect. It is possible to encourage industry through a program of grants and tax breaks.
