bench. Another example: a researcher of the highest repute in our insti- 
tution has admitted that frequently in his laboratory he neglects to wear 
his laboratory gown; an item of trivia, except that the classification on his 
laboratory is such as to require the wearing of such garb. 
Such examples indicate that one of the most significant avenues of 
danger in the conduct of this research, and one of the most significant 
problems with translating paper requirements into real protections for local 
communities is that arrogance or familiarity can breed, carelessness. Certainly, 
members of the IBC cannot regularly monitor what is going on in DNA labora- 
tories, and in fact the staff of the biohazards offices at most institutions 
are completely inadequate to do so on any systematic basis either. 
Furthermore, in attempting to fulfill the above mandate quoted from 
the proposed Guideline revisions, how can local IBCs make the sort of safety 
assessment and risk determinations they are expected to make when on the 
national level these questions are still the objects of much controversy, 
and when the NIH itself to date has followed a policy of allowing research first 
and risk assessment afterwards (much like the situation described in Alice 
in Wonderland ) . Not only is this scarcely good and orderly science (leaping 
over areas of insufficient knowledge — such as whether particular recombi- 
nations occur in nature, and if so with what frequency) but it is not good 
and orderly administration either. 
The Guideline revisions require (FR 33085, section IV-A-2-a-(ii) ) that the 
IBC responsibilities include "review and approval of facilities, procedures, 
practices, and the training and expertise of recombinant DNA personnel." 
Unless the members of the IBCs are going to spend essentially full time per- 
forming the functions of such membership, how are they supposed to carry out 
these responsibilities? The NIH Guidelines set up a standard of activity and 
responsibility which the IBCs at most institutions are totally unprepared to 
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