Revision of the Guidelines Subcommittee - 06/22/87 
06/22/87 
Dr. Federoff continued. Experiments with potentially negative environmental or economic impacts should be transferred to 
Section m-D. She noted that the definition of “weed" should incorporate the ability to become established. Unmodified 
insects or plants should present few concerns for experimental purposes. She agreed with earlier suggestions on vectors, l.e. 
disarmed pathogens were appropriate. The herbicide resistance genes should not be included. Regarding the proposed 
Appendix P-II-A-1, Dr. Miller suggested the addition of "and non-transmissible." Dr. Fcdoroff volunteered to develop 
language on containment and work with Dr. Gartland in making the appropriate changes in the plant section. 
The direction of the discussion then turned to animals. Dr. Miller suggested the addition of the following sentence to the 
proposed Section LTI-B-4-a: 
" Anim als containing sequences from viral vectors are exempt if the investigator can demonstrate that the sequences 
do not lead to transmissible infection, either directly or indirectly, as a result of complementation or recombination 
in animals." 
Section HI-B-4 would be appropriately modified to cover anything that does not meet this standard, suggested Dr. Miller. It 
was agreed that there would be a general tidying up of wording and minor points before the next meeting. General issues 
were then discussed. 
Dr. K. Hughes pointed out that no decision was made with respect to the EPA guidelines having three or four levels of 
containment Dr. Fedoroff said that the Environmental Protection Agency’s draft required further work regarding the three or 
four levels of containment. She suggested either an upgrade of the Department of Agriculture's document or use of the 
Environmental Protection Agency’s document as a starting point, but felt there were significant difficulties with both 
approaches. For example, she found problems on page 7 of the Environmental Protection Agency's document, regarding the 
removal of experimental materials through a disinfection chamber. Agents that go through fumigation will still come out as 
infectious. 
Drs. Hardy, Tolin, Pramcr and Fedoroff agreed to work on the proposed Appendix P by conference call. Dr. Gartland stated 
that the deadline for the changes is August 1, 1987. Drs. Richardson and Barbeito agreed to work on the proposed Appendix 
Q and on the language concerning insects. 
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Recombinant DNA Research, Volume 13 
