25 
public understanding and policymaking and to the conduct of research 
should be the focus of the Commission’s efforts. Traditional forms of 
assessment do not seem to work well in areas of high uncertainty about 
risk. One value of this Commission is in serving as a forum for public 
inputs into such difficult assessments. If there are actions which the 
Congress can take to encourage greater or different forms of partici- 
pation by representative public and scientific groups, or legislative 
initiatives which should be taken, then these, as identified by the Com- 
mission in its studies, should be made known in the final report of 
the Commission. 
International Phase 
Finally, the committee added a subsection (202(2) (C)) directing 
the Commission to follow and report on the research and achievements 
of genetic manipulation technology in other countries. 
Testimony during the subcommittee hearings of this Congress has 
shown frequently that recombinant DNA research is an activity being 
carried on in a number of scientifically advanced nations. The testi- 
mony also suggests strongly that regulating DNA research in the 
U.S., if too restrictive, will only result in a pronounced — and possibly 
damaging — technological lag. That lag may be difficult to overcome in 
a number of ways if it develops, including economically. 
In short, nothing the United States does or does not do in this area 
of research is going to alter its pursuit. Hence our government, our 
scientists and our industries need to be aware of advances in DNA 
research wherever it occurs. 
OVERSIGHT ACTIVITIES 
Basic oversight activities of recombinant DNA research so far as 
regulation is concerned have been the responsibility of the Committee 
on Interstate and Foreign Commerce. They are described in Part 1 
of this report, p. 34. 
With regard to the basic research and science policy aspects of 
recombinant DNA activities, the subcommittee on Science, ^Research 
and Technology held extensive hearings during the period of March 
to September in 1977. More than 50 witnesses representing a wide 
variety of views were heard and much supporting data was submitted. 
Those hearings are available from the Committee on Science and 
Technology. 
Hearings were also held after H.R. 11192 was sequentially referred 
to this committee, at which time Administration witnesses were heard 
as well as those representing the scientific community, industry and 
environmental groups. 
OVERSIGHT FINDINGS BT THE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS 
No statement of findings by the Committee on Government Opera- 
tions has been received by the Committee on Science and Technology. 
CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET ACT INFORMATION 
No information pursuant to section 308(a) of the Congressional 
Budget Act of 1974 has been provided to the Committee by the Con- 
gressional Budget Office as of April 21, 1978. 
[Appendix B — 213] 
