Skip to main content

Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version with limited support for CSS. To obtain the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles and JavaScript.

  • News in Brief
  • Published:

Containing Recombinant DNA: how to reduce the risk of escape

Nature volume 281, pages 421–423 (1979)Cite this article

David R Lincoln, Laurence R Landis and H Andrew Gray describe a ‘fault tree’ analysis of containment facilities which, when applied to Fort Detrick (right), enabled them to suggest how to cut the chance of an escape from one in 15 years to one in 22. The authors are from Carnegie-Mellon University, Pittsburgh

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution

Access options

Buy this article

  • Purchase on Springer Link
  • Instant access to full article PDF
Buy now

Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout

References

  1. Israel, M., Chan, H.W., Rowe, W.P., Martin, M.A. “Molecular cloning of polyomas virus DNA in E. coli: Plasmid vector system”, Science 203, 883–887 (1979).

    Google Scholar 

  2. chan, H.W., Israel, M.A., Garon, C.F., Rowe, W.P., Martin, M.A. “Molecular cloning of polyoma virus DNA in E.coli: Lambda phage vector system”, Science 203, 887–892 (1979).

    Article  ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Smith, H.W., “Survival of orally administered E. coli K12 in the alimentary tract of man”, Nature 255, 500–502 (1978).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  4. Anderson, E.S., “Viability of, and transfer of a plasmid from, E. coli K12 in the human intestine”, Nature 270, 295–297 (1978).

    Google Scholar 

  5. Williamson, B., “DNA insertions and gene structure”, Nature 270, 295–297 (1977).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  6. Dimmick, R.L., Vogl, W.F., chatigny, M.A., “Potentials for accidental microbial aerosol transmissions in the biological laboratory”, in Biohazards in Biological Research, Hellman, M.N. Oxman, R. Pollack 246–66, (Cold Springs Harbor Laboratory, 1973).

    Google Scholar 

  7. Curtiss, R. III, Clark, J.E., Goldschmit, R., Hsu, J.C., Hull, S.C., Invove, M., Marturin, L.J. Sr., Moody, R., Pereira, D.A., Biohazard assessment of recombinant DNA molecule research, in Plasmids: Medical and Theoretical Aspects, (Berlin: Springer-Verlag, 1977).

    Google Scholar 

  8. Curtiss, R. III, “Genetic manipulation of micro-organisms: Potential benefits and biohazards”, Ann. Rev. Microbiol. 30, 507–33 (1976).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Lapp, S.A. and Powers, G.J., “Computer-aided synthesis of fault-trees”, IEEE Trans. Reliability R 26, 2–13 (1977).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Powers, G.J. and Lapp, S.A. “Fault tree analysis,” Department of Chemical Engineering, Carnegie- Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (1978).

  11. National Institutes of Health, Safety and Operations Manual for the Containment Facility in Building 550 at the FCRC, March 1978.

Download references

Authors
  1. David R Lincoln
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Laurence R Landis
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. H Andrew Gray
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Lincoln, D., Landis, L. & Gray, H. Containing Recombinant DNA: how to reduce the risk of escape. Nature 281, 421–423 (1979). https://doi.org/10.1038/281421a0

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/281421a0

Search

Advanced search

Quick links

Nature Briefing

Sign up for the Nature Briefing newsletter — what matters in science, free to your inbox daily.

Get the most important science stories of the day, free in your inbox. Sign up for Nature Briefing