196 
SIR JOHN KENDREW: I believe that if that safety officer is doing his 
job as a full-time safety officer, that he would not have time to conduct — 
DR. SINSHEIMER: But it was mentioned that it might not be a full-time 
position. 
SIR JOHN KENDREW: Well, all I am saying as a matter of fact is that I 
have appointed somebody who is not doing research in recombinant DNA, but who 
is a full-time biological safety officer. 
DR. WALTERS: In response to your question, I think the Committee worked 
primarily on the concept of the biological safety officer in drafting these 
proposed revisions, and did not explicitly consider the question of whether 
the person designated would or would not himself or herself be involved in 
recombinant DNA research. 
DR. FREDRICKSON: Dr. DeRoos , you are the Director of the Department of 
Environmental Health and Safety at the University of Minnesota, and you had 
your hand up. 
DR. DE ROOS: I guess I would comment and heartily endorse the concept of 
this revision to the Guidelines of a biological safety officer. 
DR. FREDRICKSON: Are you seeking to expand a professional cast, Dr. 
DeRoos ? 
DR. DE ROOS: On our own initiative we have appointed a biological safety 
officer in the Department of Environmental Health and Safety. There is a 
feeling that not only — although we have a small effort in recombinant DNA 
research, that there are many other biological safety needs on the campus that 
need to be pursued in similar fashion, and that this was a need that we met on 
our own part as a result not of being forced to do it in terms of guidelines. 
And I know many other American universities are following along that same 
perspective. But certainly for those who do have difficulties in selling this 
concept, this certainly is appropriate to strengthen that activity. 
I might also add that this appointment comes in a department which is 
quite separate from any of the academic departments, and does not have the 
conflict of interest that one might suspect if an investigator, in particular, 
was the one with the responsibility. 
DR. FREDRICKSON: I take it, Dr. Walters, that — We have heard now from 
representatives from two very large institutions where there is a great deal 
of traffic in this problem. Do I understand that the RAC recommendation, 
however, was also concerned about smaller institutions where the hiring of a 
specific individual for this purpose for this title might be an excessive 
burden, or at least a severe burden, and it is for that reason that the Com- 
mittee in its interpretation of this indicated that some member of the staff 
could do this as part of other duties if it were possible? Is that right? 
[ 400 ] 
