- 2 - 
Several areas particularly worthy of such efforts are: 
a. Cloning of and with Eucaryotic Virus Genomic Segments : The 
containment requirements for experiments involving cloning of eukaryotic, 
particularly mammalian, DNA and RNA viral genomic segments in prokaryotic 
host-vector systems and the use of presently available animal virus DNA 
vectors for cloning or integrating pro- and eukaryotic DNA segments in 
their respective animal cell hosts. 
b. Cloning of Synthetic DNA Sequences : The containment recommenda- 
tions for propagating synthetic DNA sequences in pro- and eukaryotic host- 
vector systems , and particularly those for production of the products 
coded by these synthetic segments. 
c. Plant Recombinant DNA Studies : The containment requirements for 
cloning experiments that involve (i) DNA from plants, their viruses and 
other pathogens in vectors capable of propagating in plant cells and (ii) 
the use of plants or plant cells modified by recombinant DNA methods. 
We considered this proposed panel to be of unique importance, and 
therefore offer the following extended commentary on plant recombinant DNA 
studies : 
The primary emphasis of the Guidelines is appropriately directed 
towards minimizing any possible hazards to man that might arise from re- 
search using recombinant DNA techniques. The potential benefits of such 
research to the agricultural sciences and the magnitude of future efforts 
required to exploit these benefits suggest the need for improved mechanisms 
whereby viewpoints in this area can be brought to the attention of the 
Advisory Committee. This can be done _by establishing one or more panels 
to consider in depth the full application of recombinant DNA technology to 
the advacement of knowledge in plant breeding and genetics , plant nutrition 
(including nitrogen fixation) , plant physiology and biochemistry, and plant 
pathology. It may be advisable to constitute a separate panel to give 
special consideration to invertebrate virology, animal and veterinary 
science, and entomology. The USDA-NSF-sponsored meeting at Airlie House 
in April 1977 provided an opportunity for plant and animal scientists to 
consider how regulation of recombinant DNA research might affect research 
in agriculture and other non-medical areas. A number of important subjects 
were raised at this meeting, and recommendations were forwarded to the 
Advisory Committee. Advice in these areas should be^transmitted on a regu- 
lar basis from expert panels in these scientific fields. Agricultural and 
non-medical interests can best be served by the development of advisory 
panels representative of these fields, which can transmit their findings 
and recommendations to the Advisory Committee for synthesis into the con- 
tinuing revisions of the Guidelines . 
4. Responsibilities for Compliance : The Guidelines specify that 
Principal Investigators have the primary responsibility for implementing 
[Appendix A — 125] 
