FEBRUARY 15-16 - MINUTES OF MEETING 
10 
There was a general discussion about the equivalence of contain- 
ment levels for HV systems with those required for the EK systems. 
In order to use the approved systems in various experiments it is 
necessary to assign containment levels. One member stated that a 
principle of equivalency seems to be the best approximation. Dr. 
Walters pointed out that if equivalency were not adopted it would 
be necessary to go through the Guidelines and individually assign 
containment levels for each set of experiments. Dr. Baltimore 
stated that the concept of equating HV1 with EK1 was built into 
previous discussions and, therefore, the judgment had already 
been made. 
Dr. Young moved acceptance of the proposal under consideration. 
The motion passed by a vote of 18 to 2 with no abstentions. 
2. Containment Levels for Virus Experiments. 
The RAC then considered the following proposal for the cloning of 
viral ENA in eukaryote microorganisms: 
"Experiments involving complete genomes of class 1 
eukaryote viruses will require P3 + HVl or P2 + HV2 
containment levels." 
There was concern by several RAC members as to why the cloning of 
euxaryote viruses in eukaryote microorganisms should require higher 
containment levels than for the corresponding experiment in Eh coli 
K-12. Dr. Rowe stated that it is not known whether eukaryote micro- 
organisms could replicate eukaryote viruses. Concern was expressed 
about viruses being produced, escaping from the laboratory, and 
multiplying. In response. Dr. Young stated that viruses and their 
hosts are around all the time. He suggested that perhaps the con- 
tainment level should oe set at that required for work with the 
virus itself. 
Dr. Baltimore moved to modify the preposed sentence to read: 
"Experiments involving complete genomes of eukaryotic 
viruses will require at least P2 containment." 
Dr. Gottesman proposed an amendment of Dr. Baltimore's motion as 
follows: 
"Experiments involving complete gencmes of eukaryotic 
viruses shall use P3 + HVl or P2 + HV2 containment 
levels . " 
