5 
Study Commission 
A 13-member study commission would be established to evaluate 
Federal policy on Recombinant DNA activities and to investigate the 
long term applications of gene-splicing technology. The commission 
could consider all aspects of genetic manipulation rather than being 
limited to the narrow scope of recombinant DNA activities. The com- 
mission is to complete its studies in thirty months and recommend ap- 
propriate Federal action. 
BACKGROUND 
Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce 
On January 19, 1977, Representative Ottinger submitted House 
Resolution 131 calling for the promulgation of regulations governing 
all recombinant DNA research by the Secretary of Health, Education 
and Welfare, under section 361 of the Public Health Service Act. On 
February 7, 1977, Representative Ottinger introduced H.R. 3191, 
the “DNA Research Act of 1977” and on February 16, 1977, Repre- 
sentatives Ottinger, Badillo, Bedell, Corrada, Dellums, Duncan, 
Edwards, Gilman, Howard, Hughes, Jeffords, Kostmayer, Leach, 
Lehman, Mikva, Moakley, Neal, Richmond, Roybal, Scheuer, Simon, 
Steers, Walgren, Waxman, and Burke introduced H.R. 3591 and 
H.R. 3592, both identical to H.R. 3191. 
Representative Solarz introduced H.R. 4322, the “Commission on 
Genetic Research and Engineering Act of 1977”, on March 1, 1977. 
Representatives Rogers, Maguire, Preyer, Scheuer, Waxman, Florio, 
Markey, Walgren, Carter and Madigan introduced H.R. 4759, the 
“Recombinant DNA Research Act of 1977”, on March 9, 1977. 
Hearings on these bills were held by the Subcommittee on Health 
and the Environment on March 15, 16 and 17, 1977. On April 6, 1977, 
the administration’s proposal, the “Recombinant DNA Regulation 
Act”, was introduced as H.R. 6158 by Representative Rogers by re- 
quest. Subsequently, a Subcommittee Discussion Draft was prepared 
on the basis of a subcommittee markup session on May 2, 1977, intro- 
duced by Representative Rogers on May 24, 1977, as H.R. 7418, the 
“Recombinant DNA Act”, As a result of markup sessions in June, 
1977, the subcommittee ordered reported a clean bill, H.R. 7897, intro- 
duced on June 20 by Representatives Rogers, Preyer, Scheuer, Wax- 
man, Florio, Maguire, Markley, Ottinger, Walgren, Carter, Madigan, 
and Skubitz. 
The Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce considered 
H.R. 7897 in markup sessions in September and October. 1977, agreeing 
to several amendments. However, the markup of H.R. 7897 was never 
completed and the bill was not reported by the Committee. 
Representative Staggers introduced HR. 10453 on January 19, 1978. 
This bill was not considered further. On February 28, Representatives 
Staggers and Rogers introduced H.R. 11192, which was subsequently 
considered by the Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce, On 
March 15, 1978, H.R. 11192 was considered, amended and ordered re- 
ported by the committee by a vote of 17 for and 6 against. 
Committee on Science and Technology 
The Subcommittee on Science, Research and Technology of the 
Committee on Science and Technology held hearings on the Science 
[Appendix B — 193] 
