8 
times more toxin than 833 Fb coll 0157:H7. language specifying a specific 
strain would provide an interna] standard and permit comparison frcm laboratory 
to laboratory. Dr. Kopecko agreed. 
Or. levme amended his motion to reguire use of Shigella dysentenae strain 
608 as the standard strain. Dr. Formal seconded this motion. 
Dr. Gottesman seconded Dr. Gill's original motion in order to permit a vote 
on this motion. By a vote of two in favor, four opposed, and no abstentions. 
Dr. Gill's motion was refused by the working group. (Dr. Levine opposed this 
motion. Dr. Habig supported it.) 
The working group then voted on Dr. Levine's motion. By a vote of five in 
favor, one opposed, and no abstentions, the working group accepted this motion. 
(Drs. Habig and Levine supported this motion.) 
Dr. Kopecko then offered the following motion: 
" Campylobacter species have long been recognized as members of the family 
Vibnonaceae . Recently Campylobacter species have been separated taxoncmi- 
cally into an orphan genus. Because of the similarities between Campylobacter 
and Vibnonaceae , the Working Group on Toxins recommends that for purposes of 
cloning SLT Campylobacter can be considered as members of the Vibnonaceae . " 
Dr. Levine seconded this motion. 
Dr. Gill said the most important consideration in evaluating a proposal is not 
the species frcm vhich the gene \\as originally isolated but the characteristics 
of the gene's product and the host-vector system. He said he would support 
Dr. O'Brien's request to permit cloning of the SLT gene from Campylobacter . 
He thought Dr. Kopecko 's motion did not convey the idea that the gene, and the 
characteristics of its product are the most important considerations. He 
suggested a substitute motion which would not refer to the source of the gene 
be developed . 
Dr. Formal said although he agreed with Dr. Gill, at the present time it would 
be difficult to precisely define the characteristics of SLT toxin. A substitute 
motion would have to contain such a definition. 
Dr. Milewski said Dr. Kopecko 's motion vvas preferable because of the way the 
August 19, 1985, Federal Register annoucement had been written. She sard the 
minutes of the working group meeting would show the group strongly supports 
the concept that the gene is the most important consideration. 
Dr. Levine called the vote on Dr. Kopecko' s motion. By a vote of six m favor, 
none cpposed , and no abstentions, the working group approved of the motion. 
(Drs. Levine and Habig supported the motion.) 
[ 312 ] 
