25 
Dr. McGarrity asked v^ether P2 containment coiditicais were necessary. 
Dr. Gottesman pointed out that the investigator would employ a mobilizable 
■plasmid v^ich may ocxitain homologous to the cholera chromosome. In 
such a situation ocaicem over the possible transfer of the cholera toxin 
gene justifies P2 containment cOTditions. 
By a vote of ten in favor, none opposed, and three abstentions the RAC adopted 
Dr. Maas' motion. 
XVI. OCNTAINMENT CONDITICNS FXDR CimiNG AND EXPRESSICN OF DNA CODING FOR 
DiraiHERIA TOXIN 
Dr. Gartland initiated the discussion (tabs 1035/10, 1041) by recounting 
the history of the proposal submitted by Dr. Jdin Murphy of Harvard Medical 
School. Dr. Gartland said Dr. Murphy requested that RAC, at its ^ril 23-24, 
1981 meeting (Minutes of the Meeting, page 28-29), consider a proposal to 
clcxie, in coli K-12, the 3.9 kb Bam restriction fragment of Corynephage 
Beta carrying the diphtheria toxin structural gene. At that meeting, RAC 
set containment for the project at P4 with the experiments to be performed 
in high containment Building 550 at the Frederick Cancer Research Center 
(FCRC). Ihe NIH subsequently accepted this recommendation. Dr. Gartland 
said Dr. Murphy, in a letter dated July 11, 1981, now requested greater 
flexibility in the setting of containment levels. Dr. Murphy proposed that 
the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Institutional Biosafety Committee 
(IBC) be delegated authority to specify laboratory and containment practices 
for the work to be done in high containment Building 550 at FCRC. 
Dr. McKinney said that the P3 laboratories in Building 550 are served ky the 
same water supply, waste treatment system, and ventilation system as the P4 
facility. The secondary barriers, thus, afford higher than P3 containment. 
They are more than adequate to contain the proposed experiments. In addition, 
a precedent for lowering containment vhen the high risk portion of the experi- 
ment is conpleted was set with the first risk assessment experiments performed 
at FCRC by Dr. Malcolm Martin. Dr. McKinney suggested RAC specify that the 
work be ocaiducted in P3 laboratories in Building 550 of the Frederick Cancer 
Research Center under conditions specified by the local IBC. 
Dr. Maas requested a clarification of the experimental protocol. Dr. Talbot 
said Dr. Murj^y intends to use Building 550 at all times, but would not 
use the Class III glove boxes in all experiments. Dr. Gottesman asked 
v^iether workers, trained in P4 procedures, would assist in the experi- 
ments. Dr. McKinney replied that NIAID assigns a permanent, highly 
conpetent staff to Building 550 to assist investigators. Dr. Fedoroff 
seccxided Dr. McKinney's motion. 
By a vote of eleven in favor, none opposed, and three abstentions, the RAC 
recommended that permission be granted to clone in E. coli K-12, in high con- 
tainment Building 550 at the Frederick Cancer Research Center, restriction 
[216] 
