Bioremediation does require for DNA in bacteria to be genetically altered in order to properly do its job and clean the contamination. This does impose ethical issues because some people believe that since it is not a naturally occuring modification, it could upset the natural environment. (E.1)
Two seperate acts imposed by the federal government help strictly regulate Bioremediation.
The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) was enacted in 1976. It identifies and regulates the amount of hazardous waste in the environment that could affect health. It also strictly regulates all aspects of hazardous waste disposal and storage.
The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Recovery Act (CERCLA), was amended in 1986. It is what funds the research of developing Bioremediation, which is where it gets its other name "super fund." (E.4)
There are not many social issues besides the fact that some local businesses or area residents may find the noise from pumps and other construction equipment disturbing. (E.5)