A. National Scientific Organizations 
The issue of recombinant DNA research has been studied by national and 
international bodies in countries throughout the world. In many cases 
some form of control has been recommended, but in no case has a total ban 
on the research been advocated. The United Kingdom and Canada have issued 
guidelines that differ in detail but are similar conceptually to the NIH 
Guidelines.* Other countries are generally following the NIH or U.K. 
Guidelines, including Denmark, the Netherlands, the Germany Federal 
Republic, Israel, Sweden, and Switzerland. Endorsement of the U.K. 
Guidelines has been given by the European Science Foundation (ESF). The 
European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO) endorsed the use of either 
the U.K. or NIH Guidelines. The International Council of Scientific 
Unions (ICSU) and the World Health Organization (WHO) have urged nations 
to adopt the principles embodied in these two sets of guidelines. 
As detailed in the international survey, scientific and governmental 
activities comparable to those in the United States have been under 
way in the United Kingdom since July 1974. A working party established 
at that time recommended that recombinant DNA research in the United 
Kingdom be permitted to continue under appropriate controls. A followup 
working group chaired by Sir Robert Williams issued a report in August 
1976 that established guidelines for the conduct of recombinant DNA 
research within the United Kingdom. 
In Canada, in March 1976, a special committee of the Canadian Medical 
*Copies of the Canadian guidelines may be obtained from the Director, Special 
Program, Medical Research Council, Ottawa, Canada K1A 0W9 . 
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