10 
continue in effect any requirement for the regulation of recombinant 
DNA activities. 
Section 106(b) establishes conditions and procedures under 'which 
States and political subdivisions thereof may prescribe requirements 
with respect to recombinant DNA activities. It requires the Secretary, 
upon application, after notice and opportunity for an oral hearing, 
and after considering local conditions, to issue an order exempting a 
State or local requirement from subsection (a) if (1) the require- 
ment is the same as, or more stringent than, a requirement under 
section 102(a) and (2) the requirement is necessary to protect health 
or the environment. The oral hearing is to be commenced not later 
than 60 days from the date the application is submitted. The pre- 
siding officer at the hearing is to make a written recommendation to 
the Secretary respecting approval of the application. Within 60 days 
of the conclusion of the hearings or 120 days after submission of 
the application, whichever occurs first, the Secretary must approve 
or deny the application. The Secretary’s decision must be in writing 
and, if a hearing was conducted, the decision must contain the rec- 
ommendation made by the presiding officer, and must include a com- 
plete statement of the reasons for the Secretary’s decision. 
Trailing and studies ( section 107) 
Section 107(a) authorizes the Secretary to conduct and support 
training in the safe handling of recombinant DNA. 
Section 107 (b) requires the Secretary to conduct or support on a 
continuing basis studies assessing the risks to health and the environ- 
ment of recombinant DNA activities. In addition, it authorizes the 
Secretary, by order, to make the requirements of section 102 inappli- 
cable to such risk assessment studies. Such orders are to be published 
in the Federal Register together with a statement of the basis for the 
order. 
Relationship to other Federal laws ( section 108 ) 
Section 108(a) specifies that title I shall not affect the authority of 
any Executive Agency to regulate recombinant DNA activities under 
any other Act. 
Section 108(b) establishes that the Secretary shall not be deemed 
to be exercising statutory authority under section 4(b)(1) of the 
Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, in exercising any au- 
thority under title I of this act. 
Section 108(c) assures the “sunset” provisions of Title I. 
Title II— Commission for the Study of Research and Technology In- 
volving Genetic Manipulation 
Section 201 provides for the establishment of a thirteen member 
Commission for the Study of Research and Technology Involving 
Genetic Manipulation. The members of the Commission are to be ap- 
pointed by the President from individuals distinguished in such fields 
as medicine, law, ethics, the biological, physical, and environmental 
sciences, philosophy, humanities, health administration, government 
and public affairs. 
Section 202 sets forth the duties of the Commission which include 
(1) the conduct of a study of Federal policy regarding activities in- 
volving the genetic modifications of organisms and viruses, and (2) a 
[Appendix B — 198] 
