BELGIUM 
The Belgian Committee on Medical Ethics has a Subcommittee for 
Recombinant DNA Research, chaired by Walter Fiers, that is currently con- 
sidering the definition of recombinant DNA research and the establishment 
of a voluntary register of all laboratories conducting recombinant DNA 
experiments in Belgium. The Subcommittee was scheduled to meet again in 
September 1977. 
BRAZIL 
Professor A. Miranda, of the Biophysics Institute of the University 
of Rio de Janeiro, reports that a group of Brazilian scientists is study- 
ing the preparation of guidelines based upon developments in both the 
United States and Europe. Guidelines are to be issued from a committee 
of the National Council for Research. Recombinant DNA research is 
currently in progress in Professor Miranda's laboratory, and pharmaceuti- 
cal companies may soon be initiating activities. 
CANADA 
After the Asilomar Conference, the Canadian Medical Research Council 
(MRC) created an ad hoc committee for the purpose of making recommenda- 
tions regarding the safety aspects of recombinant DNA research. The com- 
mittee issued a draft report in March 1976, and in February 1977 the 
Council published a report entitled Guidelines for the Handling of 
Recombinant DNA Molecules and Animal Viruses and Cells that applies to all 
research supported by the Council. In addition, the following agencies 
have agreed to apply these guidelines to their intramural and extramural 
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