This conference will examine human influences on, and considerations relating to, the dispersal of genetically-altered living organisms into the aquatic environment. The topic of the conference promises an opportunity for the building of bridges between the social sciences, interested in questions of risk and organizational responses, and the biological sciences, interested in questions of biotechnology development and the fate of genetically-altered organisms when released to the natural environment. The topic is important, new, and holds great scientific and financial challenges for both the research community and industry. This conference, to be held in Los Angeles February 15-16, 1989, will be in conjunction with the annual meeting of the National Shellfisheries Association. Over 30 scientists and research managers will make presentations, stressing the commonality of approaches used to assess benefits from genetic engineering due to enhanced food production and risks from genetic engineering due to the possibility of harm to aquatic and other plants or animals. In addition, the links between biological systems and social systems (e.g., the communities dependent on fisheries production for their livelihood) will be emphasized, in the terms of the risks and benefits accompanying deliberate releases of genetically-altered organisms.
