5 
Department of Justice 
The Department of Justice representative reported no comment on the 
Guidelines . 
U.S. Arms Control and Disarmament Agency 
No comments on the Guidelines were cited. 
Department of State 
No comment was made on the Guidelines; however, the question was 
raised over the possibility of the need to review a previous 
Committee decision on the need for an international convention on 
recombinant DNA research or commerce. It was agreed that the need 
for such a convention was unnecessary in the light of WHO 
Guidelines on the shipment of hazardous agents, the commonality of 
containment guidelines in many countries, and the NIH policy 
providing for control of this research it funds abroad. 
IV. Sumnary and Conclusion 
The proposed procedural changes in the Guidelines were summarized 
by Dr. Fredrickson. He noted that these procedures had been 
developed largely in response to agency comments received on the 
Guidelines. With no objections noted, the Committee approved the 
proposed procedures subject to review by the DHEW Committee that 
was created by the Secretary to conduct the Department's September 
15 hearing and advise the Secretary on the final Guidelines. 
Mr. Peter LiBassi, Office of General Counsel, serves as Chairman 
and Dr. Fredrickson serves as Vice-Chairman. It was agreed that 
there was a consensus among the Committee on the proposed 
procedures, and this message will be conveyed to the DHEW DNA 
Committee. 
Dr. Fredrickson, in conclusion, emphasized the heightened 
responsibility the Interagency Committee will now have and the 
importance of future coordination and cooperation of agencies 
regarding recombinant DNA research. 
Respectfully submitted, 
J.D. 
Program Planning and Evaluation 
National Institutes of Health 
Bethesda, Maryland 
October 23, 1978 
[ 431 ] 
