8 
1 advances toward policies and practices which will provide 
2 society with protection from biological hazards while 
3 permitting society to benefit from the major advances in 
4 knowledge made possible by these techniques. The proposed 
g revisions are a marked advance from the 1976 edition, 
6 because expert input on infectious diseases and patho- 
7 genicity has been the basis for the revision of classifi- 
g cations and procedures. 
9 It must be recognized that the proposed revi- 
1Q sions are a needed step in an evolving process. As 
11 scientific data continues to be gathered, improved 
12 technical approaches should be considered and introduced. 
13 Any problems encountered should impact our practices, and 
14 the goal of safe, efficient practices, clearly defined 
1 5 and well understood by all, should remain before us. 
15 The revised guidelines are to be commended for 
1 7 their use of good data on the known normal defense mechan- 
18 isms of living organisms and the protection of individuals 
19 who are at special risk because of impairments in these 
2 q normal defense mechanisms. 
21 While the revised guidelines recognize that the 
22 biological safety committees are involved in numerous 
23 important tasks other than recombinant DNA technology, 
24 there should be considerable caution in further demands 
25 on these committees, which could distort their efforts 
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