Page 2 - The Honorable Aalai E. Stevenson 
The same materials will be published in an upcoming issue of 
the Recombinant DMA. Technical Bulletin. 
NIH has endeavored to keep all researchers involved in 
recombinant DMA research informed of relevant actions 
through the IBC's and througn direct communications. For 
example, on November 26, 1976, NIH sent a memorandum to 
all IBC's informing them of policies concerning recombinant 
DNA research. The memorandum stated that only one EK2 
host-vector system had been approved and that, while several 
others were under review, they had not yet "been certified 
by the NT11." The memorandum continued: "When EK2 host-vector 
systems are certified, you will be notified and their avail- 
ability will be announced in the Nucleic Acid Recombinant 
Scientific Memoranda (NARSfl) . " N ARSH has been superseded by 
the Bulletin . The November 26 memorandum concludes with the 
statement that the ISC's are responsible for informing 
researchers at their institutions of NIH policies. 
2. "Are applicants for approval of these [EK2] plasmids now 
informed ir writing of actions by the Advisory Committee and 
by' the Director?" 
When an EK2 host-vector system is approved, the applicant is 
sent a copy' of the certification memo signed by the Director, NIH. 
3. "Are other interested researchers formally notified when a 
vector has been certified?" 
Whenever an EK2 host-vector system has been certified, NIH 
sends a list of all certified EK2 host-vector systems to all 
IEC's. Additionally, future lists will be published in 
the Bulletin which goes to all IBC's and scientific societies 
both hero and abroad. 
4. "Wliat other ambiguities [other than the certification process] 
have been the. subject of complaints or inquiries to NIH?" 
There have been some questions about interpretations of the 
Guidelines and also about the speed of approval of Memoranda 
of Understanding and Agreements. 
5. "How have these problems been corrected?" 
The normal grant process which averages nine months has been 
delayed by less than two days which we feel is not an undue 
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