19 
Dr. Pinon requested that the word "credible" be deleted from the phrase 
"credible scientific evidence"; he thought the tern redundant. Dr. Saginor, 
however, disagreed as he felt "scientific" and "credible" are not synonymous 
to the public. 
Dr. Gottesman saw the proposed language as intending to s^ to local 
legislators "we are listening to your concerns, we believe we are responding 
to than, and we hope you will continue to have feith in RAC." She warned, 
however, that the language might lead legislators who had not previously 
thought of legislation to consider it. Dr. Nightingale concurred. She 
thought acc^tance of Mr. Mitchell's statement might be counterproductive. 
Instead she suggested that the Director's jrearable to the revised Guidelines 
might state that these Guidelines are based on the best available information, 
and it is hoped they will be applied nationally. She preferred this 
procedure to a motion indicating RAC's concern over possible local legislation. 
Dr. Holmes agreed, expressing concern that the motion appeared arrogant and 
would be cointer-productive. Er. Bems called for the question. 
By a vote of sixteen in favor, none opposed, and no abstentions, the RAC 
voted to stop debate and to vote on the motion proposed by Mr. Mitdiell, as 
amended. By a vote of six in fevor, nine opposed, and one abstention, the 
motion offered by Mr. Mitchell was defeated. 
V. BEQUEST TO CLONE SUBGENOMIC SEGMENTS OF FXX7T AND MOLTM DISEASE VIRUS 
Er. Bems introduced the proposal (tabs 1058, 1059, 1062/1, 1063) of Molecular 
Genetics, Inc., to clone subgenomic segments of the Foot and Mouth Disease 
Virus (FMEV) in E. ooli K-12. According to U.S. law, v^le FMD virus cannot 
be studied in the U.S. except at the Plum Island Animal Disease Center 
(PIADC) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Er. Berns said 
FMEV causes a disease with serious economic consequences; it is widespread 
globally but has been eradicated in the U.S. 
Dr. Bems said Molecular Genetics, Inc., has cloned portions of the FMIV 
genome in Argentina. They have characterized the clones and have sent them 
to Plum Island for infectivity testing. Molecular Genetics, Inc., requests 
permission to remove these clones to their laboratories in Minnesota. The 
clones represent, in aggregate, less than sixty-five percent of the FMEV 
genome. Er. Bems recalled that Genentech, Inc., in collaboration with USDA 
had approached the NIH with a similar prcposal . Hiat project was ^proved 
by RAC and subsequently by the NIH. Genentech, Inc., had received permission 
to remove clones representing in aggregate seventy-five percent of the 
FMEV gencme from Plum Island to Genentech, Inc., laboratories in California. 
Dr. Bems recommended approval of the Molecular Genetics, Inc., prcposal. 
Dr. Iblin said the USDA is waiting for RAC review of the project before 
testing the infectivity of the clones. She said she had reviewed the docu- 
ments submitted by Molecular Genetics, Inc., and found them to be in order. 
[348] 
