17 
Dr. Walters said Mr. Rifkin 's proposal would create a working group of 
high visibility but very little substance. He suggested there were better 
ways for Mr. Rifkin to pursue his aoals. 
Dr. Johnson pointed out that RAC is not a regulatory authority or an investi- 
gative body. He thought RAC should continue to function as an advisory 
group. 
Mr. Rifkin suggested RAC was "in a hind" because RAC has responsibility 
for approving DOD experiments but doesn't believe it has responsibility 
for overseeing or ocmnenting on them. He suggested RAC indicate to DOD 
and Congress that RAC does not believe it should have the job of overseeing 
DOD experiments. He said: 
"...if this committee doesn't want to take a lock at the implications 
of vhat it's clearing in terms of experiments, then it ought to just 
get out of the business of clearing experiments and give it back to 
the DOD or sane other agency or the Congress to resolve." 
Mr. Rifkin asked that a RAC member offer this suggestion as a motion. 
Dr. Martin moved that RAC not establish a working group as requested by the 
Foundation on Economic Trends- The motion was seconded by Dr. Joklik. 
Dr. Landy asked vh ether a motion was necessary. He asked Drs. Martin and 
Joklik whether they would consider the "no motion" option, i.e., offer no 
motion on the proposal. 
Dr. Martin preferred to offer a motion because a motion indicates the 
request was seriously considered and a decision reached. 
Dr. Davis moved to table Dr. Martin's motion. The motion bo table was 
seconded. 
By a vote of six in favor, thirteen opposed, and no abstentions, the RAC 
refused the motion to table Dr. Martin's motion. 
Dr. Walters expressed concern that a motion that does not offer a rationale 
for RAC's conclusion may be misleading. He suggested a subgroup develop a 
rationale. Dr. Martin accepted this suggestion as an amendment to his 
motion. 
Dr. Talbot asked whether the minutes of the May 3, 1985, RAC meeting could 
serve as the rationale. Mr. Mitchell expressed concern that the minutes 
will contain "a tremendous amount of material, some relevant and sane 
perhaps irrelevant . " The meeting was then recessed for lunch. 
After lunch. Dr. Martin withdrew his motion; Dr. Joklik, the seconder of 
the motion, agreed. 
[137] 
