r ?! 
Organisms Containing Recombinant DNA Molecules be published in the - ' 
Federal Register . (Dr. Talbot reported that this will appear in the 
Federal Register next week and will be sent to all Subcommittee 
members . ) 
Status Report on OTA Study 
Drs. Harsanyi and Kolsrud reported on the study by the Office 
of Technology Assessment, due to be completed in August, entitled 
"Impacts of Applied Genetics." Topics under study include: the 
state of the art of various genetic techniques (including 
recombinant DNA) ; the current and projected use by industry of these 
: 
techniques; potential impacts on society, the economy, and the 
environment; distribution of funds in different areas; patentability 
•of life forms; potential hazards to workers; and costs and benefits 
of the new techniques. 
The ultimate aim of the study is to identify issues that may 
be of interest to Congress and to present a series of options. 
Dr. Harsanyi spoke of two conflicting goals — either promoting the 
industry or restricting activities in the area, e.g., to insure 
safety. The report will look at what Congress could do to further 
each of these. 
Dr. Omenn said he disagreed that there is necessarily a 
dichotomy between safety and industrial application. He said an 
objective of this Subcommittee is to promote both. Dr. Harsanyi 
replied that many companies say regulation of any kind slows their 
efforts. 
