EMBO EUROPEAN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY ORGANIZATION 
Dr. D.S. Fredrickson 
Di rector 
National Institutes of Health 
Bethesda, Maryland 20205 
USA 
EMBO European Molecular Biology Organization 
Postfach 1022 40. 6900 Heidelberg 1 
Postfach 1022.40 
6900 Heidelberg 1 
West Germany 
Tel. Heidelberg (06221) 38 3031 
21 December 1979 
Dear Dr. i-redrickson. 
It has not proved possible to convene before December 30th, 1979 
a meeting of the EMBO Standing Advisory Committee on Recombinant DNA 
to discuss "Recombinant DNA Advisory Committee, Meeting; Recombinant 
DNA Research, Proposed Guidelines and Actions", Federal Register, 
November 30, 1979, which arrived in Heidelberg on December 15th, 1979. 
However, having discussed together the new proposals we wish to make 
the following comments: 
(1) Given that the biological containment of E.coli K12 with the 
approved vector systems has been established beyond all reasonable doubt, 
we wholeheartedly welcome the proposal that when working with these host- 
vector systems PI physical containment as defined in Federal Register, 
November 30th, 1979 shall be used. This level of physical containment has 
over many years allowed the safe handling of many known pathogenic micro- 
organisms and is, therefore, more than adequate for recombinant DNA 
research with E.coli K12 host-vector systems. 
(2) We welcome the decisions to prohibit mouth pipetting and to sterilise 
waste in a PI laboratory. 
(3) Given the extent of public concern aroused by recombinant DNA we 
believe it judicious and prudent not to exempt cloning in E.coli K12 from 
the Guidelines. 
(4) On a point of detail we believe that it is somewhat inconsistent to 
retain P3 + EK1 conditions for experiments using Ff bacteriophages as 
vectors. As an interim measure, whilst further advice is sought, we be- 
lieve it be appropriate to recommend P2 + EK1 conditions. 
(5) We welcome the precedent established by the NIH of allowing the 
large scale culture in appropriately tested equipment in a P2 laboratory 
of EK1 host-vector systems carrying chemically synthesized genes for 
insulin A and B chains. 
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