14 
Dr. Martin said RAC has only formed working groups to examine areas where 
proposals have or will be submitted. There is no justification for forming 
a RAC working group to study potential military uses of recombinant ENA 
technology. RAC in the foreseeable future will not receive proposals 
involving the use of recombinant ENA technology in biological warfare. 
Dr. Martin said: 
"What should RAC as a committee do? Nothing. What should we as 
individual scientists and citizens do? I consider that to be a matter 
that best be discussed before professional societies, a suggestion 
which the Foundation might note." 
Dr. Walters suggested seme RAC members might write as private citizens to 
Congress and request this issue be addressed. 
Dr. Rapp said it is very difficult to verify that a biological system is 
being used for warfare; these difficulties are exemplified by the yellow 
rain issue in Southeast Asia. 
Dr. Rapp said if one accepts DOD statements on its research programs, there 
is no need to explore this area; if one does not accept DOD statements, RAC 
is in no position to explore this area. RAC has neither the mandate, the 
resources, nor the budget to investigate these issues. He said he could 
not recommend RAC became involved in such an activity. 
Dr. Gottesman said since the Asilcrrar Conference it has been recognized 
that this technology could be misused as well as applied to positive goals. 
This recognition is reflected in the structure of the NTH Guidelines which 
currently specifically require RAC review and NIH approval of certain types 
of proposals. 
Dr. Gottesman said the question is whether RAC could do more to lessen the 
possibility this technology might be used for biological warfare. She 
thought RAC could do nothing more as a committee other than occasioned. ly 
discuss this issue. 
Dr. Davis said: 
"I 'm as opposed to biological warfare as Mr. Rifkin and probably as 
suspicious of seme aspects of military policy and I 'm also aware of 
the fact that research for defensive purposes can be hardly distin- 
guished from research that could conceivably someday contribute 
to offensive purposes. . .But I thoroughly agree... that this committee 
has no possible basis for trying to do anything useful in this field." 
Mr. Rifkin said several recent developments should be considered by RAC. 
The Secretary of Defense went to Congress in August 1984 with an emergency 
request for funds to build a biological warfare aerosol test laboratory at 
EUgway Proving Grounds. Mr. Rifkin said the DOD Secretary indicated the 
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