Some feared the ice-minus bacteria might spread throughout the environment and wouldn't be able to be recalled into the laboratory. Dr. Lindow and his colleagues countered with test results in which the recombinant bacteria were found to be harmless. They also argued that the ice-minus form would always be in the minority in nature. Some of the critics pointed to the normal uncertainty of nature and others, the harshest critics, thought changing any organism was too risky. For four years the heated debate continued until Dr. Lindow and his colleagues were finally given permission to field test the recombinant, an experiment that was successful and showed no indication of the recombinant spreading to the adjacent fields.
Some people are still fearful of anything called genetic engineering.
As an educated citizen, you may someday be called upon to pass judgement that requires knowledge of biological and social issues. Read the following statements and discuss them with members of your group. Be prepared to explain your answer to the whole class. There is fear that the ice-minus bacteria would be out of control in the environment. Unless we are certain the recombinant is risk free, genetically engineered organisms should always be confined to the laboratory greenhouse.