71 
1 the registration of non-NIH grantees, including industry, 
2 is thus, in a sense, a step in this direction. We 
3 always assuned that these other groups were to be subject 
4 to the yuidelines. 
5 Two other points in the PRG are particularly 
6 noteworthy: the exenptions to the guidelines, and the 
7 new responsibilities of the IBC. The clear exemption 
8 of most free reconbinant DNA from the guidelines is a 
9 considerable step forward. Hot only did this facilitate 
10 manipulations needed to characterize DNA, such as electron 
11 microscopy, and enzyme cleavage analysis, but it also 
12 recognizes, finally, the fact that DNA itself is not in 
13 any way a toxic substance. Unfortunately, the idea that 
14 DNA functions only as hereditary information has been 
15 somewhat difficult to explain. In my own experience, 
10 lay audiences and reporters exhibit considerable surprise 
yj that electron microscope pictures of reconbinant DNA look 
18 just like any other DNA. 
19 The exenptions for self-cloning and E. col i - 
20 related microorganisms are also a welcome addition. 
21 There should have been such a category from Asilomar 
22 onward. Few can maintain that such experiments have any 
23 potential conjectural or other level of hazard. Cloning 
24 col i phage lambda and resecting it, or inserting col i 
25 DNA into it represents a class of the most benign experiments 
[163] 
