Recombinant DNA Advisory Committee - 7/31/90 
recombinant" products should be added to the list of techniques 
to be discussed. Dr. Wivel said he would add that to the list. 
Dr. R. Murray asked if an outline or guideline had been developed 
for the actual conduct of the meetings. Dr. Wivel said it would 
be very simple. He said Dr. McGarrity had volunteered to attend 
all the meetings. The meetings would include a brief 
introductory statement by Dr. McGarrity as well as 
representatives of the host institutions, and the remainder of 
the day will be devoted to hearing testimony from people wishing 
to present their views. The formal portion of the meetings will 
be kept to a minimum, allowing maximum time for public 
participation . 
Dr. Wivel noted that ORDA has requested a one-page summary of 
testimony from all public participants who pre-register to 
testify, and those people will receive a priority in testifying 
over people who simply may walk in and wish to testify. Dr. 
Wivel said it is intended that each speaker be given 5 minutes to 
make his or her presentation. 
Dr. R. Murray said he had experience on the Secretary's Committee 
on In Vitro Fertilization which also held public hearings and 
that it is necessary to exercise tight control to avoid having 
certain people and certain viewpoints over-represented and 
dominating the floor. He urged the Chair to set up strong 
guidelines to avoid losing control of the situation. 
Dr. McGarrity said he envisioned a similar process, as is used in 
the RAC, whereby he would open the floor first to RAC members to 
present their comments or suggestions, then to other people who 
have served on a subcommittee, followed by people who have 
requested time to speak, and then allowing people who walk in to 
make presentations. However, since it will not be known 
beforehand exactly how many people will be attending each 
meeting, there will have to be some flexibility in allowing 
speakers to make presentations in excess of the 5 minute time 
limit. 
Dr. R. Murray suggested that the guidelines be spelled out in the 
interest of fairness, thus not allowing one person or group to 
over-represent their viewpoints. Dr. McGarrity noted that he has 
had some experience in these matters in the RAC and that he 
understood Dr. R. Murray's concern. 
Dr. Clewell asked if the hearings would be recorded and 
transcribed. Dr. Wivel said he had engaged the same firm which 
currently prepares transcripts of the meetings of the RAC to send 
a representative. Complete transcripts would be made and a short 
distillation of each meeting prepared. 
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Recombinant DNA Research, Volume 14 
