Fate and movement of microorganisms in the environment

This literature review indicates how little is known about the growth of introduced bacteria. The available data base is so sparse that one can only speculate on the environmental conditions and the physiological traits that are needed to permit bacterial growth. Although methods are available to label organisms so that their multiplication can be detected under natural conditions, those methods have not been used sufficiently often to provide a meaningful base of information to allow a definition of conditions that favor multiplication of particular species or the organisms that are likely to proliferate in particular environments. However, because methods exist to monitor microbial growth, and new and better methods can be developed easily, it should not be difficult-provided research funds are made available-to expand greatly the data base and provide adequate information to be used for predicting the behavior of genetically engineered organisms in nature.