FEBRUARY 15-16 - MINUTES OF MEETING 
21 
of the insert has been sequenced and it will hybridize 
with fetal globin DNA. In addition to intervening 
sequences within the gene, there are two additional 
sequences, one consisting of 1300 base pairs and another 
consisting of 460 base pairs. It was agreed that it is 
difficult to assess the potential hazards of this extra 
DNA. Accordingly, the RAC voted 16 to 1 with 4 absten- 
tions to reject the request. 
2. Review of a Request from Dr. Donald Brcwn. 
The RAC reviewed a request (621) from Dr. Donald Brown of 
the Carnegie Institution of Washington to lower containment 
to P2 + EK1 for a plasmid containing an insert containing 
a genomic rabbit g -globin gene plus flanking sequences. 
The fragment is 80% sequenced. The RAC noted that the insert 
consists of 5000 base pairs, of which 1500-1600 are involved 
in the globin gene. The gene itself contains two large inter- 
vening sequences. It was pointed out that, under the revised 
Guidelines, the local IBC has authority to approve a one-step 
reduction in containment. Hcwever, Dr. Kutter noted that the 
RAC will have to come to grips with the issue of flanking 
sequences. Dr. Zinder emphasized that investigators are 
interested in studying the unit of transcription. Dr. 
Baltimore moved that the clone should be approved for 
propagation under P2 + EKl conditions. The motion failed 
to carry by a vote of 7 in favor, 13 opposed, with 1 absten- 
tion. 
3. Review of a Request from Dr. Philip Leder. 
The RAC again reviewed a request from Dr. Philip Leder of 
NIH to approve P2 + EKl containment for X phages con- 
taining mouse genomic globin genes, MBG2, MBG3 , MK2, MK3, 
and MaL. These clones were previously reviewed by the RAC 
at its August 1978 meeting and approved for propagation at 
P3 + EKl or P2 + EK2 levels. The RAC agreed that these clones 
contained extra DNA and raised similar issues to those reviewed 
in 2. above. The RAC voted 19 to 0, with 1 abstention, to 
defer further actions on such cases until the Working Group 
has reported to the RAC and criteria for characterization 
are adopted. 
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