approve or disapprove the proposed NIH Guidelines. Dr. Gartland 
said he believed the process used in the morning session in 
discussing animals would be a proper one to be followed in this 
case. Dr. Fedoroff then said she would add notations that 
biohazard signs are only required at BL3-P and BL4-P in any 
motion that would ensue. 
Dr. Davis asked why there was a concern about introducing potent 
vertebrate toxins into plants. Dr. Fedoroff replied that there 
would really be little concern with such an experiment unless it 
could spread by normal genetic means to food crops. Further, if 
there was a biological control in place such as doing the experi- 
ment in the wintertime, there was no need to use a closed box to 
perform such an experiment. 
Dr. Pramer said the subgroup had sought ways of containing 
plants, and associated microbes, and insects in order to minimize 
possible detrimental effects to organisms or ecosystems outside 
the facility. It was done with sufficient breadth and 
flexibility to assure that research could be conducted and 
conducted safely. The proposal is effective in this regard. 
Dr. Fedoroff said she wanted to address some specific issues that 
had been brought up in correspondence relating to the proposed 
amendments to the NIH Guidelines. She said one of the statements 
made is: 
"Because the Guidelines apply to a very wide 
range of organisms and experimental designs, 
not every circumstance can be anticipated 
and a thoughtful evaluation must be made of 
the biological and ecological properties of 
the organisms involved in a given 
experiment. " 
She said this applies as much to selecting more stringent con- 
ditions as relaxing them where necessary. Each experiment must 
be looked at to ensure correct categorization of biosafety levels 
required based upon the local geographic area, the season, poss- 
ible vectors of transmission, et cetera. 
Dr. Fedoroff noted that there was a suggestion that the term 
"insect" be replaced by the term "Arthropod" throughout the 
document, and she felt this was perfectly reasonable. 
Dr. Walters asked for clarification of this. Dr. Richardson 
explained that all insects are Arthropods, but not all Arthropods 
are insects. "Arthropod" is a more appropriate term for the 
group of organisms which may be involved in physical trans- 
mission. Dr. Pirone added that it would also include mites, 
which are arachnids rather than insects. 
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