9 
standards in carrying out this research. Thus far, there has been very 
close cooperation and coordination among the various international and 
national scientific bodies, with a view to reaching a consensus on safety 
practices, programs, and procedures. 
At the meeting of the Committee held on November 23, 1976, the Federal 
research agencies discussed their activities and possible roles in the 
implementation of the NIH Guidelines. All research agencies endorsed the 
Guidelines to govern recombinant DNA research. At present, the NIH, the 
National Science Foundation, the Veterans Administration, and the U.S. 
Department of Agriculture are supporting or conducting such research. 
The Department of Defense, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, 
and the Energy Research and Development Administration do not at present 
conduct such research, but all have endorsed the NIH Guidelines to govern 
future research should it be undertaken. 
A. Subcommittee Review of Existing Legislation 
Also at the November 23 meeting, the Federal regulatory agencies 
reported on their regulatory functions. Following that review, a special 
Subcommittee was formed to analyze the relevant statutory authorities for 
the possible regulation of research involving recombinant DNA technology. 
All regulatory agencies were represented on the Subcommittee, assisted by 
attorneys from their offices of general counsel. 
The Subcommittee was charged to determine whether existing legislative 
authority would permit the regulation of all recombinant DNA research in 
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