5 
Dr. Caller, Commerce, asked if industry had been informed of the 
proposed revisions. Dr. Fredrickson explained that all industrial 
representatives on record as attending the February 1976 public 
hearings have been sent a copy of the revisions. 
Dr. Barth, EPA, and Mrs. Bastian, CEQ, asked whether the rationale 
for the revisions, as developed by the RAC at a meeting on October 31, 
would be published in the Federal Register . Dr. Fredrickson explained 
that such a document will be widely distributed and available upon 
request. There are currently no plans, however, to have it published 
in the Federal Register . 
Following the analysis of all comments and the transcript of the 
hearings, Dr. Fredrickson will consult with the RAC and others prior 
to reaching any decisions. The final revisions will be published in 
the spring of 1978 along with an EIS if an impact assessment Indicates 
that such a statement is needed. 
OSTP Survey 
Dr. Omenn, OSTP, led a discussion of the recent OSTP survey concerning 
the perceived need by Federal agencies for legislation to regulate 
recombinant DNA activities. Of particular interest to the Committee 
was the question of whether the NIH Guidelines could be extended by 
the Commerce Department to non-federally supported activities. 
Dr. Caller replied that a voluntary surveillance program could be 
initiated, and he has informally contacted Industrial representatives 
to explore their concept of what would constitute a satisfactory system. 
He added that such a program would be a very complicated one to implement. 
[ 379 ] 
