Coughter J P, Stewart G J
University of South Florida, Tampa 33620.
Antonie Van Leeuwenhoek. 1989;55(1):15-22. doi: 10.1007/BF02309615.
Reports made over the past few years leave little doubt that horizontal gene transfer among bacteria can and does occur in the environment. The significance of these events in the dissemination of recombinant molecules is not clear and more research is required to fully appreciate the impact of genetic exchange on their stability and survival. Based on the available data it is fair to say that horizontal gene transfer may play as important a role in transmission of recombinant sequences as does the survival and persistence of genetically engineered microorganisms.
过去几年的报告无疑表明，细菌间的水平基因转移在环境中能够且确实会发生。这些事件在重组分子传播中的重要性尚不清楚，需要更多研究来全面认识基因交换对其稳定性和存活的影响。根据现有数据，可以说水平基因转移在重组序列传播中可能发挥着与基因工程微生物的存活和持续存在同样重要的作用。
