the references to doing experiments in the winter should be 
clarified as to what was meant by "winter" and whether a mild 
winter would have an effect on such experimentation. Dr. Pirone 
answered that in most cases host plants for pathogens are killed 
by the first frost. Therefore, a mild winter would still permit 
such experiments to continue. He added that if the host were a 
weed perhaps this could be a problem, but he emphasized that once 
again knowledge of the biology of the organisms involved is what 
is important. Good judgment on the part of investigators is 
paramount. 
Dr. Fedoroff replied that the responsibility is on the principal 
investigator to make sure he knows the biology and is able to 
defend it to his IBC. It is the responsibility of the IBC to 
evaluate the case presented to it by the investigator. 
Dr. Henry Miller from FDA said that most of the FDA suggestions 
had been incorporated, but he had two further suggestions. He 
said that in paragraph 133a there was a statement that for BL3-P, 
"Air supply filters shall be 80-85% average efficiency by the 
American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air Conditioning, 
Inc. (ASHRAE) standards...." He said he was unfamiliar with 
ASHRAE standards and suggested that it should say, "better than 
80% efficiency," instead of specifying further parameters. Dr. 
Richardson replied by saying there is no air supply standard in 
the biosafety guidelines currently in place. Therefore, the 
standard for supply air in this proposal exceeds that of the 
parent document. 
Dr. Miller questioned why, in paragraph 101, nematodes and flying 
insects were referred to as "microorganisms." Dr. Fedoroff 
replied that apparently it was a typographical error and should 
read "macroorganisms." 
Dr. John Payne from USDA said there were some changes regarding 
footnotes referring to USDA regulations; in particular, changes 
to footnote 18 which he would supply to Dr. Gartland for inclu- 
sion in the final proposal. 
Dr. Vidaver then moved that, "RAC accept the modifications along 
with the language in Appendix P plus the pertinent paragraphs in 
the sections dealing with plants that we have just discussed and 
that these be incorporated into the Guidelines." Dr. Pirone 
seconded the motion. 
Dr. Walters moved to close debate and his motion was seconded by 
Dr. Korwek. The Chair put the motion to close debate to a vote, 
and it passed by a vote of 14 in favor, none opposing, and 2 
abstentions . 
The Chair then asked for a vote on the main motion. The result 
of the vote was 14 in favor, none opposing, and two abstentions. 
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Recombinant DNA Research, Volume 13 
