define what constitutes a showing of necessity. 
Similarly, HEW should define what kind of showing must 
be made before an IBC can approve a lower containment 
level. Finally, HEW should establish a system for 
spot checking containment decisions made by NIH staff 
and the IBCs . 
VIII . MEMBERSHIP AND ROLE OF THE IBCs 
We recommend a number of changes in the composition 
and management of the Institutional Biosafety Committees : 
(1) Section IV- A- 2, which defines the membership of the 
IBC should further restrict conflict of interest by 
prohibiting members from having any direct involvement 
except as a laboratory worker, in recombinant DNA or 
closely related research. The proposed requirement that 
members have "expertise" in assessing the risks of 
recombinant research will favor the inclusion of members 
with an overriding interest in promoting the 
research. 
(2) A biological safety officer should be retained by all 
institutions engaged in any kind of recombinant DNA work 
§ IV- A- 3 stipulates that a biological safety officer 
shall be designated at institutions carrying out 
recombinant DNA research at the P3 and P4 levels of 
containment. This is inadequate, given the emphasis 
placed on good microbiological practice and the 
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