6 
the local biohazard committees are included in the present Guidelines. 
I am considering further mandates for public representation on those 
committees as they assume increased responsibilities for monitoring and 
oversight. 
The study commission proposed in H.R. 11192, which has a mandate 
similar to that of the commission proposed in your report, would provide 
yet another focus for public participation at the national level. I 
endorse the concept of a study commission with broad membership. 
Revisions and Implementation under the Legislation 
We have completed a review of all the issues raised at the public 
hearing and in correspondence received before and after the hearing on 
the proposed revisions to the NIH Guidelines. We are now in the process 
of developing a decision document and an environmental impact assessment 
for the proposed revisions. The revisions under consideration include 
possible exemptions to the Guidelines and the administration of the 
Guidelines at the national and local levels, especially as they relate 
to public participation and review. 
We have recently issued a decision that recombinant DNA research 
inventions developed under DHEW support may be patented by universities 
provided licensees adhere to the safety standards of the NIH Guidelines. 
We are currently considering inserting appropriate language in the Guidelines 
that will provide protection for proprietary and patent information, but 
will not compromise public disclosure of information on potential risks 
to health or the environment. The Commerce Committee report specifically 
[Appendix B — 182] 
