30 
guidelines for experimentation with rDNA technology and not 
become a regulatory agency. For the pharmaceutical industry, 
that role will be assumed by the FDA at an appropriate time in 
the development process. 
There is no need to create a new federal agency to 
regulate "genetic engineering" experiments. Existing statutory 
authority provides adequate protection to responsibly set the 
ground rules for the use of rDNA technology. The NIH RAC has 
been recognized by Cabinet-level departments, regulatory 
agencies, and industry as being the central oversight and review 
organization for both the private and public sectors. Thus, at 
this time, there is no need to reactivate the Federal 
Interagency Committee on Recombinant DNA Research. However, 
should the role of the NIH RAC diminish, then we would recommend 
that the Interagency *Committee be reactivated. Overall 
coordination of Federal rDNA activities saves money and prevents 
confusion over Federal policy in this area. Given the existing 
federal activity through the NIH RAC, we believe that control at 
the federal level is more than adequate. There is no need for 
additional state and' local regulations. 
In the event that a President’s Commission on the Human 
Applications of Genetic Engineering is formed, the 
recommendations set forth above need not change. Such a 
Commission only adds another federal dimension to the review of 
[631] 
