Authorities of EPA under the Clean Air Act, the Federal Water 
Pollution Control Act, and the new Resource Conservation and Recovery 
Act of 1976, were mentioned in passing, but it was felt they would 
apply, if at all, only to isolated aspects of recombinant DNA research 
carried out in the laboratory. The FDA was also discussed briefly. 
However, Inasmuch as recombinant DNA research has not yet reached the 
stage where it has practical applications in fields regulated by FDA, 
it was agreed that FDA probably does not have authority to impose 
requirements on such research. The Department of Agriculture's 
regulatory powers were also touched upon, but not considered in depth 
because they relate solely to certain forms of non-human animal life 
and plants. 
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR 
Of the four statutes on which discussion centered, primary 
attention was directed to the Occupational Safety and Health Act 
and the Toxic Substances Control Act, because each on its face would 
give broad powers to the administering agencies. 
The Occupational Safety and Health Act, administered by the 
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in the Department 
of Labor, requires every employer to: (1) furnish to each of its 
employees ". . .employment and a place of employment which are free 
from recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death 
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