10 
MINUTES OF MEETING - June 5-6 
I 
he did not believe that the Interagency Committee has the authority to 
take action itself. Ultimately, it is the Occupational Safety and 
Health Administration (OSHA) which could take action. Dr. Baltimore 
speculated that the minimum time to institute OSHA action would be a 
year. Dr. Baltimore asked NIOSH and OSHA representatives to estimate 
the time required. Dr. Logan of OSHA said that OSHA has not been par- 
ticularly involved in this area in the ten years since OSHA was esta- 
blished. He said the agency recognizes the importance of this issue 
and is currently exploring approaches to the problem. 
Dr. Goldstein suggested that the institution of a good medical surveil- 
lance program might allay many of the concerns expressed by the members 
of the committee. He suggested that Dr. Gottesman's proposal be amended 
to indicate that the RAC finds such a program desirable, and requests 
NIOSH and OSHA to implement a medical surveillance program. Dr. Gottesman 
suggested that a straw vote be taken to determine if the committee views 
her proposal as an appropriate end result before discussing any amendments 
or methods of implementation. She would then compose more precise language 
and the RAC might resume the discussion during the following day's agenda. 
She moved that the RAC take a straw vote on the following procedure for 
approval of requests to grow greater than 10 liters of organisms contain- 
ing recombinant DNA: "The RAC will determine whether a particular recom- 
binant DNA containing strain is fully characterized and free of harmful 
sequences. Such a determination shall include specification of a contain- 
ment level (P-LS level). Adherence to the specified containment conditions 
is the responsibility of the local IBC and appropriate regulatory agencies." 
Dr. Baltimore preferred to defer the discussion to permit an ad hoc group 
to compose appropriate language. Ms. King stated that the RAC could vote 
in principle on Dr. Gottesman's proposal, and develop specific language 
later. D. ^ Idstein said that Dr. Baltimore's proposal would maintain 
the status quo for the time being and he would like to table the motion. 
Dr. Goldstein stated his belief that setting a deadline after which the 
RAC will no longer review industrial practices is the most effective 
means of having other agencies assume oversight responsibility. 
Dr. Gottesman then repeated her motion. Dr. Krimsky preposed an 
amendment to Dr. Gottesman's motion, stating that the committee supports, 
(1) the principle that a health surveillance system be established, and 
(2) legislation that would require mandatory compliance for all institu- 
tions involved with recombinant DNA activities. Et. Goldstein seconded 
Dr. Krimsky' s proposed amendment. Dr. Gottesman said that Dr. Krimsky's 
amendment addressed issues quite different from those she wished to 
address, and said she would not accept the amendment. Dr. Young supported 
Dr. Gottesman's position. Dr. Krimsky then moved a substitute motion 
incorporating both Dr. Gottesman's language and his own proposed amend- 
ments. Dr. Setlow called the question on Dr. Krimsky's substitute motion. 
The RAC denied the motion by a vote of three in favor, thirteen opposed, 
and two abstentions. 
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