2 
Review of Scientific Activities 
Dr. Fredrickson reviewed three events which have served to change the 
opinion of many scientists concerning the potential hazards associated 
with the use of recombinant DNA technology: 
• several scientists have demonstrated that biological containment 
measures would prevent bacteria from surviving in a natural 
environment if they were to escape from the laboratory; 
• evidence presented at the Falmouth Conference indicates 
that insertion of recombinant DNA into E. coli K-12 could not 
transform the bacteria into a dangerous agent; and 
• additional evidence suggests that the recombinations of DNA 
produced in the laboratory may be very similar to those that 
occur in nature. 
The Committee Report on International Activities 
After discussion and minor revision, the Committee voted unanimously 
to submit the amended report to Secretary for his review and approval. 
Proposed Revisions to the 1976 NIH Guidelines for Recombinant DNA Research 
Dr. Fredrickson announced that the final Environmental Impact Statement 
(EIS) concerning the Guidelines has recently been approved by the 
Secretary of HEW, and that a set of proposed revisions to the Guidelines 
was published in the Federal Register on September 27 . Comments are 
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