24 
Dr. Ahmed ^ls)ced if this proposal might violate a prohibition in that drug 
resistance traits would be introduced into a nonp>athogenic organism, which 
might tremsfer drug resistance traits to pathogens. Dr. Maas suggested that 
use of non-con jugative, poorly-mobilizable plasmids could be required. He 
said this restriction would address concerns about transfer of genetic infor- 
n^tion from Oorynebacteritjn glutamicun to pathogenic Corynebacteria that 
live on the huran skin. Mr. Thornton as)^ Dr. Liberman to comment on the 
effect this restriction might have on the project. Dr. Liberman thought 
the restriction would not seriously affect the protocol. 
Dr. Maas moved approval of the proposal under PI containment conditions pro- 
vided that nonoon jugative, poorly mobilizable plasmids are used as vectors. 
By a vote of eleven in favor, one opposed, and one abstention, RAC adopted the 
motion. 
Dr. Liberman asked if RAC might rule in general on the use of Class 1 agents 
in the development of novel host-vector systems. Dr. Talbot pointed out that 
Dr. Liberman's request as published in the Federal Register had dealt only 
with Corynebacteritm glutamicim ; a more general statement on all Class 1 
agents h^ not appears in the Federal Register and thus could not be acted 
on. Dr. Talbot drew attention to the action adopted by RAC earlier in the 
meeting concerning modification of Section III-0-2, as this partially 
2K5dressed Dr. Libenrvm's concern. 
XV. PROPOSED USE OF CCKTUGATTVE PIASMID6 TO TRANSFER CNA BETWEEIJ E. OOLI, VIBRIO 
OOLERA, AND VIBRIO HARVEYI 
Dr. Maas initiated discussion of the request (tabs 1037, 1035/2) from Dr. J. W. 
Hastings of Harvard University for permission to clone Vibrio harveyi DNA in 
E. ooli and in Vibrio cholera . Oonjugation proficient plasmids (e.g., pRK290 
derivatives) would be used to tremsfer the cloned V. harveyi DNA among ^ ooli , 
V. cholera and V^ harveyi . Dr. Hastings would employ an ^ ooli host-vector 
system to select V^ harveyi bioluninescence genes. He would subsequently re- 
turn the bioliminescence genes to V^ harveyi by first tr6unsferring the genes 
from ^ ooli to V^ cholera , and t)nen transferring the genes from ^ cholera 
to V^ harveyi . He chose this method as the frequency of plasmid transfer from 
E. coll bo V^ harveyi is very low. 
Dr. Maas said V^ cholera is classified by the CDC as a Class 2 etiological 
agent. He suggested that the experiments be permitted at Pi containment, 
with the exception of those experiments involving V^ cholera , v^ich would be 
set at P2. He so moved. Dr. McKinney seconded the motion. 
Dr. McGarrity noted that V^ cholera exchanges genetic information with ^ coli ; 
he questioned why V. cholera is not included in Sublist A of Appendix A. 
Dr. Talbot said SuBTist A was originedly instituted as a restrictive list and 
inclusion of V^ cholera in Appendix A has not been requested. 
( 215 ) 
