7 
responsibility? It might be noted in the Guidelines that before 
review by the Recombinant Advisory committee, developers of new 
host-vector systems should consider filing for patent protection 
so that the RAC would be free to disclose information. 
Ill . Experimental Guidelines 
A. Prohibited Experiments 
For reasons cited previously, the section on Prohibited Experi- 
ments has been transposed to Part I. Please see the discussion above. 
B . E. Coli K-12 Host-Vector Systems 
A number of commentators asked that t-he rationale for the classifi- 
cation of permissible experiments be clearly explained. Some pointed 
out that the classification appeared arbitrary, depending on judgment 
rather than demonstrable fact. It was further suggested that revisions 
have not brought us closer to establishing absolute hazard levels. 
There were also a number of specific comments here and in later 
sections on the containment requirements set for DNA viruses and DNA 
transcripts of retroviruses. On the basis of extensive scientific 
comment before and during the public hearing, a special U.S./EMBO 
Workshop and subsequent U.S. Working Group were convened to review 
this research area. On the basis of that meeting, recommendations 
have been made for provisions that are before you for action. 
A number of recommendations were also received from the agricul- 
tural community urging further review and revision of the Guidelines 
for work with plant pathogens. As a result, another workshop was 
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