16 
should be aware of agency activities and promote consistency and consensus 
in scientific considerations. The BSCC will evaluate review procedures 
developed by agency-based scientific advisory committees, analyze broad 
scientific issues, and develop generic scientific guidelines. Confiden- 
tiality issues will be simplified since BSCC members are government employees 
who will review redacted material; confidential information can be protected 
under the confidentiality procedures of each member agency. 
Dr. Healy said FCCSET carmittees exist when there is a need; she imagined 
the BSCC will no longer be necessary once the review system is functioning. 
Dr. Healy said under this plan the NIH RAC will continue to perform the 
function it has filled in the past. It might in addition serve as a 
resource for other government agencies. The BSCC will not preempt RAC. 
Dr. Healy stressed that NIH RAC is the model of an effective scientific 
advisory mechanism. It has functioned well over the past ten years, and 
constitutes an important process which should be preserved and continued. 
RAC is expected to continue to play a vigorous role in future oversight 
structures . 
Dr. Mitchell asked whether the BSCC will distinguish between research and 
commercial applications. Dr. Healy said research applications would be 
expected to be submitted primarily to NIH and NSF while cxmmericial 
applications would go to the regulatory agencies. The BSCC may help route 
applications appropriately. 
Dr. Martin expressed concern that this type of regulation of biotechnology 
could "hinder technology development and the application of biotechnology 
to societal needs and economic benefits." He thought this new technology 
would be more effectively encouraged through an educational process rather 
than an oversight mechanism. Dr. Healy said this proposed scientific 
advisory mechanism could be involved in educating the public. 
Dr. Davis said the BSCC sounds reasonable but may have little to do since 
the agency-based review carmittees may be able to handle all the problems. 
Dr. Pramer said some biotechnology proposals may fall under the jurisdiction 
of more than one agency. Does a mechanism for mediation and arbitration 
exist under the FCCSET mechanism? Would a conflict be mediated by the 
BSCC? Dr. Cohen asked hew disagreements would be resolved. 
Dr. Healy said disagreements occur in the government when uncertainties 
exist over agency jurisdiction and are usually worked out by the agencies 
in an informal good- faith manner on a case-by-case basis. The BSCC will 
not became involved in jurisdictional "turf battles” between agencies but 
[398] 
