Dr. Tolin responded by saying that experiments are assigned two 
different levels in Appendix Q: (1) the animals at the lower 
levels; and (2) when microorganisms are added to them, the higher 
levels are invoked. Dr. Walters asked if it could be rephrased 
to read, "in terms of microorganisms being tested on animals," 
because there are many microorganisms associated with an animal 
that are not intended to be covered, i.e., microorganisms of a 
cow's digestive tract. Dr. Tolin responded that it really should 
read, "Recombinant DNA molecules in animals or in microorganisms 
that are associated with animals," because the intent is that the 
microorganisms are also modified. 
Dr. Musgrave questioned the age limit of 18 in paragraph 285 for 
unlimited entry into a facility and asked if it paralleled the 
microorganism guidelines. Dr. Richardson replied that it was an 
arbitrary age. However, Dr. Tolin noted that it paralleled 
Appendix G of the NIH Guidelines which is not being changed. Dr. 
Musgrave asked if the issue was one of informed consent. Dr. 
Richardson replied that it was more an issue of institutional 
liability. In most institutions such as the NIH or the Centers 
for Disease Control where younger students were occasionally 
employed, it was a general rule that they be excluded from areas 
of high hazard. 
Dr . Musgrave pointed out that through the years there have been 
many reasons for discrimination in research careers including 
race, religion, as well as age. He suggested the following 
phrase be added to paragraph 285 on page 69: 
"without written permission of the laboratory 
director . " 
Dr. Richardson said it made sense to add such wording. Perhaps 
originally this wording may have come from the Nuclear Regulatory 
Commission dealing with radioactive material. Nonetheless, he 
considered it an arbitrary cut-off. 
Dr. Musgrave said that when it came time to make a motion, he 
would like to have that wording or similar wording added as an 
amendment to the proposal. Dr. Tolin clarified that currently 
the NIH Guidelines state that in regard to BL3 containment 
levels, "Persons under 16 shall not enter the laboratory." 
Dr. Davis reiterated that due to the complexity of the document 
it may have created some misconceptions about recombinant DNA 
research. He felt the RAC may be going along with this document 
for the sake of harmony with the USDA. This is not the kind of a 
document the RAC would have itself written. He said he felt the 
concept of just because something is done with recombinant DNA 
technology does not make it any more or less dangerous than doing 
the same research through non-recombinant DNA techniques is lost 
in the complexity of the document. He said he felt a clearer and 
Recombinant DNA Research, Volume 13 
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