VIII 
Any legislative mandate providing recombinant DNA research 
regulations should contain a definite termination date of not more 
than 2 years from enactment, at which time the need for continua- 
tion of guidelines should be reexamined. . . . 
The question of Federal preemption of State and/or local regu- 
lations of recombinant DNA research should be carefully con- 
sidered and discussed with a view to avoiding balkanization of 
research before any decisions are put into law. . . . 
Risk Benefit Factors 
It is not presently possible to use traditional forms of risk- 
benefit assessment developed for other technological applications 
with regard to recombinant DNA research; for example, quanti- 
fication of radioactive materials risks. . 0 . 
Continuous recombinant DNA research risk-evaluation by re- 
searchers and monitoring by some formal public body appears 
necessary — particularly since various aspects of such research are 
limited due to ignorance of the biological processes involved. . . . 
It seems probable that some “National Commission” should be 
established to assist in this process, but only to provide a forum 
for public inputs into future assessments — not to determine 
regulations. . . . 
Implications for Science Policy 
Information and education procedures at present seem inade- 
quate, either for establishing social responsibility awareness by 
scientists or the understanding of scientific significance by the 
public. . . . 
The professional societies could help a great deal in securing 
honest and open evaluation of subjects demanding scientific input 
and explanation. . . . 
Congress should encourage scientific societies, insofar as feasi- 
ble, to participate in programs of public education and community 
activities relevant to technical debates surrounding recombinant 
DNA and other research. . . . 
Policy Processes and Procedures 
All parties, government and non-government, need to maintain 
an awareness of the evolution of new methods, models, and insti- 
tutions for resolving public issues, especially those in the private 
sector. . . . 
The expansion of the perspectives provided by these institutions 
and their role in public education should be encouraged wherever 
feasible. . . . 
While methods of public participation, scientific and nonscien- 
tific, have improved since the recombinant DNA issue first sur- 
faced. other options and new resources looking toward better 
overall policy decisions must continue to be evaluated. . . . 
Whenever legislative initiatives may be required to foster im- 
proved communication and coordination. Federal agencies should 
make such needs known as soon as possible. . . . 
[Appendix B — 50] 
