6 
or philosophical issues that may be associated with genetic 
engineering. 
The Guidelines have been a dynamic and evolving document 
which reflects the experience of scientists in the field. As 
more has been learned about rDNA, the need for less physical 
containment has been recognized as well as diminshed need for 
federal oversight. 
While activity 'was occurring at the federal level, 
intense debate on rDNA research was also taking place at the 
state and local levels and in universities. As a result of the 
debate in the late seventies, the most comprehensive state 
regulations were adopted by Maryland and New York; ordinances or 
resolutions were passed in Amherst and Cambridge, Massachusetts; 
Berkeley and Emeryville, California, and Princeton, New Jersey. 
In the early eighties, some states have reacted to the 
relaxation of federal guidelines by introducing initiatives 
mandating research compliance with NIH Guidelines. To date, 
California and Oregon have introduced legislation. While it is 
too early to predict the outcome of these initiatives, they do 
indicate a continued interest in rDNA research and development. 
B. NIH Guidelines for Research Involving Recombinant DNA 
Molecules 
Basically, the NIH Guidelines provide a set of operating 
and oversight rules for federally funded rDNA research and 
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