18 
medical nonitoring. Ihe IBA thinks this approach is reasonable and recommends 
its continuance. D:. Fildes said a number of IBA members question the need 
for any medical surveillance program directed specifically toward recombinant 
CNA experimentation since there is no evidence of hazards uiique to recom- 
binant DNA. Moreover, it is widely agreed that it is very difficult to run 
meaningful medical surveillance without knowing v^at is to be surveyed. 
Dr. Fildes pointed out that the proposed medical surveillance program would 
entail significant costs. A second important consideration is that employees 
must undergo mandatory medical procedures, an invasion of privacy which iiany 
find c^ectionable. In sunmary the IBA is currently not in favor of mandatory 
medical surveillance directed specifically at recombinant DNA work. 
Finally, Dr. Fildes stressed the high value industry places on the type cf 
dialogue that the large Scale Review Vtorking Group has formally initiated, as 
well as on the belief that direct benefits can be anticipated from its contin- 
uation and strengthening. In the next several years industrial ^plications 
of recombinant ENA research procedures and products will certainly increase. 
With its established scientific expertise, credibility, and record of demon- 
strated sensitivity to public interests, the RAC can and should reasonably 
contribute to identifying and exploring recombinant DNA issues particularly 
relevant to ccmmercial ^plications. Such activity could complement the regula- 
tory actions of various agencies (many of which currently have liaison represen- 
tation on the RAC and Large Scale Review Working Group) and minimize the need 
[504] 
