A. Research Agencies 
Department of Agriculture 
3 
Concern over prohibited agricultural pathogen risk assessment 
experiments and the release prohibition were cited. USDA will none 
a liaison member to the RAC. A Committee has been established 
within USDA to address recombinant DNA research. A registration 
scheme is in place with plans to share information with NIH. There 
are no special concerns with the experimental guidelines and it it 
generally felt that the proposed procedures will assist in USDA's 
particular concern over the release prohibition. 
National Science Foundation 
All containment procedures are endorsed by NSF. The National 
Science Board wants NSF to develop its own section on procedures; 
however it endorses the other three sections of the Guidelines. 
Dr. Lewis felt the procedures proposed address a majority of the 
concerns raised by Dr. Atkinson's letter. In addition, Dr. Lewis 
cited concern over the timeliness of NIH decisions following RAC 
action rather than with NIH's judgment. NSF agreed to share 
registration information with NIH including data on research 
conducted by small businesses funded by the agency. 
Department of Defense 
DoD reported that, scientifically, it is in agreement with the PRG 
and can accept the proposed procedural arrangements. In addition, 
DoD will send a formal letter noting its endorsement of the 
Guidelines . 
Department of Energy 
The Guidelines were endorsed by the DoE representative. Two issues 
of interest to DoE are (1) how to get advice on IBC composition and 
how to get these IBCs reviewed and (2) if NIH continues to do the 
primary registration for DoE funded projects, how to establish 
better communications with ORDA, in order to keep DoE informed. 
National Aeronautics and Space Administration 
Dr. Winter, representing NASA, reported satisfaction with the 
Proposed Revised Guidelines. 
Veterans Administration 
Although VA did not have a representative attending the meeting, 
Dr. Fredrickson outlined the main points raised in their letter and 
suggested the proposed role of the IAC in response to VA concerns. 
[ 429 ] 
