employee health and safety in laboratories where recombinant DNA 
research is being conducted. Among measures recommended included a 
central registry of laboratories, workers, and research projects 
with long-term follow-up studies. Further, medical examinations for 
workers before and during research activity was recommended. 
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), in its review of legislative 
authority, reported that FDA regulations would come, into play when 
recombinant DNA research results in commercial application for drugs, 
chemicals, or the like. 
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration of the Department of 
Labor is responsible for the protection of the employee in the work place. 
Relevant statutory and regulation may be applicable to govern the conduct 
of recombinant DNA research for purposes of employee safety. However, 
there is a statutory gap in the coverage provided by OSHA: 
There are 26 states without state plans; and in those states, local 
governments are exempt from OSHA, including state universities. 
The Department of Transportation has legislative authority to issue 
regulations concerning transportation of substances which create an 
unreasonable risk to health, safety, or property. These regulations 
are currently being revised and will become available to the committee 
for review. 
The Civil Aeronautics Board has legislative authority to regulate the 
amount of hazardous substance that an airline company may carry. 
( 237 ] 
