"But we think it is a truly novel organism because the pathology is unusual and has not been published before."

For all other aspects of biotechnology, including patents on novel organisms and manufacturing equipment, the delay averages three years.

In other words, novel organisms created through splicing of genes from two naturally occurring pathogens may have increased the rate of disease.

The Bush Administration says genetic engineering poses no special risks, and novel organisms should go unregulated unless one can prove their danger in advance.

But the question with novel organisms is far more complicated.

The scientists working on the creation of novel organisms say that for now at least, there is no chance that the microbes will run amok.

What if the novel organisms were somehow to run amok?

The countries are not suspected of using genetic engineering or biotechnology to develop novel organisms as weapons.

Concerns about bioengineered foods include possible allergic reactions, potential long-term toxicity and unforeseen effects of releasing novel organisms into the environment.

Microbial mats surrounded the 160 C vents, and included a novel jelly-like organism.