MINUTES OF MEETING - June 5-6 
2] 
Dr. Set low called the question on Dr. Brill's motion. The RAC recommended 
by a vote of nine in favor, and five opposed, that the language of Section 
III-A-2-a be amended to substitute HV1 containment for HV1CV containment, 
as specified in the Federal Register of April 30, 1980. 
XIII. PROPOSAL TO AMEND SECTION III-C-4 OF THE GUIDELINES 
Dr. Zaitlin introduced his proposal (tab 881/8) to amend Section III-C-4 
of the Guidelines. He stated that this proposal is an attempt to rectify 
an oversight in the definition of a PI greenhouse or growth cabinet when 
agents other than viruses are used as vectors. He said the definition of 
a Pi greenhouse or growth cabinet currently in the Guidelines, established 
for use of plant viruses in recombinant technology, appears in Section 
III-C-3. As some plant viruses are transmitted by aphids, positive air 
pressure is required to prevent entry of insects into the PI greenhouse 
or growth chamber. In Section III-C-4 of the Guidelines discussing the 
use of vectors other than viruses, in cases where airborne propagules 
(spores, mycelia, etc.) could be generated, positive air pressure would 
actually encourage dissemination of the recombinant molecules. He moved 
that the following language be added at the end of Section III-C-4: 
"and (iii) negative air pressure shall be employed in the greenhouse 
or growth chamber when infectious agents are used which generate 
airborne propagules." 
The RAC accepted the proposed language by a vote of fourteen in favor, 
and none opposed. 
XIV. LOWERING OF CONTAINMENT LEVELS FOR CHARACTERIZED CLONES OR PURIFIED DNAs 
BY IBCs 
Dr. Gottesman presented a brief review of the proposal (tab 881/13) to 
permit local IBCs to lower containmment levels on characterized clones 
or purified DNAs. She said the issue is whether HV host-vector systems 
should be treated in the manner EK host-vector systems were treated 
under the 1978 Guidelines, i.e., the containment of purified DNA or 
characterized clones shown to be free of harmful genes could be lowered 
one level in either physical or biological containment by the local IBC 
without the need for NIH approval. Any further lowering, or lowering 
below PI + HVl would have to be approved by NIH. Under the 1980 Guide- 
lines, such lowering of containment levels for HV systems requires prior 
IBC and NIH approval. 
Dr. Gottesman moved acceptance of the proposal as it appeared in the 
Federal Register . The RAC unanimously accepted this proposal by a vote 
of fifteen in favor, and none opposed. 
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