Asilomar 1975: DNA modification secured

Abstract

To test this, we inserted a segment of DNA containing three Escherichia coli genes responsible for the metabolism of the sugar galactose into the genome of the Simian Virus. Could an Asilomar-type conference help resolve some of the controversies now confronting scientists and the public - such as over fetal tissue, embryonic stem-cell research, somatic and germ-line gene therapy and the genetic modification of food crops? I believe that it would be much more difficult to organize such an event today.