124 
Several commentators called for more attention to medical surveil- 
lance and epidemiological measures in the event of possible infection 
of the laboratory worker or contamination of the environment [10, 20,29, 
32]. Others recommended a more detailed discussion in the EIS on 
measures to ensure appropriate safety training for laboratory personnel 
[20], The Guidelines (Section IV) specify in detail the responsibilities 
of the investigator and the institution to ensure appropriate safety training 
and monitoring to minimize exposure to hazards. 
Several commentators suggested that local and State authorities 
must be involved in the process at the local level [20, 32], As noted 
before, the Guidelines recommend that the Institutional Biohazards 
Committees have representatives familiar with applicable laws, 
regulations, standards of practice, community attitudes, and health 
and environmental considerations. The local health officer, for example, 
or the State health representative could be kept informed by serving 
on the Biohazards Committee. 
And in addition, legislation pending in both House and Senate would 
allow States to act in this area under certain conditions. 
Several commentators inquired about plans to generate new infor- 
mation relative to safety in research involving recombinant DNA molecules 
[19, 20, 29, 30], New efforts relevant to this comment have been initiated 
in three broad areas: (a) biohazard assessment, (b) development of safer 
host-vector systems, and (c) training. 
Biohazard Assessment. An NIH intramural program has been 
initiated to assess the nature of biohazards that may be associated 
with the production of recombinant DNA molecules and their subsequent 
amplification in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. The ability of 
recombinant DNA molecules, and vectors and hosts containing such 
molecules, to survive under laboratory and normal environmental 
conditions will be evaluated under an extramural contract program that 
has been initiated. A contract effort has also been initiated to quantify 
the exposure potential that may be created by a variety of experimental 
procedures used in research involving recombinant DNA molecules 
and by simulated accident situations. Results of these efforts will make 
it possible to establish more precise estimates of potential hazards and 
to select the most appropriate methods of physical containment. 
Development of Safer Host-Vector Systems. An extramural contract 
program has beerTlnitiated to develop safer host-vector systems and to 
verify their genotypic constitution and phenotypic traits. The program 
is administered by the Research Resources Branch of the National 
Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. The ability of these 
developed and verified systems to survive in laboratory and natural 
environments will also be determined. This effort is being undertaken 
to insure the availability of safer host-vector systems for cloning 
recombinant DNA molecules. 
