Attachment IV - Page 8 
PART II 
The following represents concerns raised by the members _o f the 
Working Group pertaining to the consequences of new mechanism 
suggested by the proposals as published in the Federal Register 
of December 31, 1984: 
1. Whether the scientific field identified as molecular 
biology, utilizing R-DNA technology, should be fragmented into 
a number of areas which could cause the expression of a number 
of conflicting viewpoints on scientific principles. 
One approach would be to treat the science as a 
uniform body of knowledge # which requires extensive experience 
and insight into a complex scientific subject. If the nature 
of the science is to be the primary emphasis, then a unifor m 
single approac h is the best answer. If the commercial applica - 
tion is to be the primary approach, then the division of the 
"s cience bv such application is appropriat ed 
2. The issue of ethical and social perspectives of this 
technology were not addressed. A Presidential Commission in 1982 
issued an extensive report, the substance of which underscored the 
importance of social and ethical perspectives being taken into 
consideration in the application of this technology, particularly 
when applied -to humans. In response to these concerns, RAC did 
include, within its guidelines, provisions for the consideration 
of these perspectives when taking up applications for human gene 
therapy. RAC is now developing a procedure for such applications, 
and suggests that such procedures should be included in any new 
mechanism. Any new mechanism must provide a viable means by which 
social and ethical perspectives are addressed. 
3. The soundness of the mechanism should be dependent on 
the structure itself, and not on the particular personalities of 
agency or department directors. Cooperation hopefully could be 
achieved _by inter-agency agreements, or such other mechanism as 
the Cabinet Council Working Group may establish. 
4. The proposals did not address themselves to possible 
future applications which are unforseeable at this time. It is 
anticipated that there may be many new and varied applications 
which may not fit into the present or proposed mechanism. Any 
new mechanism must include sufficient flexibility to provide for 
future research and applications. 
[418] 
