20 
MI NOTES OF MEETING - June 5-6 
strains of the helper virus are able to grow in human cells. He stated 
that the rationale for setting these levels was that a virus capable of 
infecting humans could disseminate from the laboratory by means of an 
infected investigator. He said he perceived no support for this notion 
among the working group in Miami Beach. The working group suggested 
that the containment level to be used in rescue experiments be set 
according to the CDC classification of the helper virus; helper rescue 
with a CDC Class 1 or 2 agent would be carried out under P2 conditions 
while helper rescue with a CDC Class 3 agent would be carried out under 
P3 conditions. 
Dr. Goldstein asked if the working group had addressed the question of 
potential changes in host range. Dr. Bems replied that the experience 
of working group participants suggested that a number of viruses recombine 
with host genetic material during infection but that this recombination 
produces neither enhanced virulence, pathogenicity, nor host range. 
Dr. Walters noted that the proposal as now formulated had not appeared 
in the Federal Register , and that it should be published for comment 
before consideration at the September meeting. 
XII. PROPOSAL TO AMEND PORTIONS OF SECTION III-A-2-a OF THE GUIDELINES 
Dr. Nightingale outlined the proposal (tab 881/3) to amend portions of 
Section III-A-2-a. In the January 1980 Guidelines, the term HV1CV had 
been substituted for the term EK1CV, and does not seem applicable to the 
host-vector systems currently included in Section III-A-2-a. An ad hoc 
working group had been appointed to examine this question. The working 
group had proposed modifying the language of Section III-A-2-a by substi- 
tuting HV2 containment for HV1CV. The RAC at the last meeting had not 
accepted the proposed substitution of HV2 for HV1CV; the majority of 
members thought HV2 containment too stringent. A substitute proposal to 
amend HV1CV to HV1 was therefore published in the Federal Register for 
consideration at this meeting. 
Dr. Brill moved acceptance of the amendment as it appeared in the April 30, 
1980, Federal Register . Dr. Gottesman agreed that the HV1CV level does 
not make sense. She noted that this motion would lower containment for 
some cloning of animal viruses in Bacillus subtilis and Neurospora crassa . 
Dr. Goldstein moved to table discussion of Dr. Brill's motion. He said 
the proposed change is a major relaxation in containment of recombinant 
DNA from eukaryotic viruses. He suggested that a subcommittee be appointed 
to review available data. The vote was called on Dr. Goldstein's motion. 
The RAC defeated the motion to table by a vote of two in favor, nine 
opposed, and three abstentions. 
[ 120 ] 
