scientists would be willing to start an experiment in which most 
of the successful insertions would be non-functional. In light 
of this, the working group felt the only way to cover such an 
experiment would be by redefining "recombinant DNA." 
Dr. Gellert said he could also envision an experiment in which 
viral cores could be inserted directly into an animal embryo. 
Dr. Neiman said such experimentation has not yet been 
accomplished but conceded it was not unlikely to happen in the 
future. He said it may be premature to attempt to develop 
guidelines for a technology which is as yet undeveloped. 
Dr. Riley said she viewed the term "recombinant DNA" in two ways: 
one, in which recombinant DNA is introduced into the germ line of 
an animal, and another in which a non-recombinant DNA molecule, 
foreign to the animal's genome, is introduced in the animal, thus 
producing a recombinant sequence stably integrated into the germ 
line. She thought this was not a burning issue at present. 
Dr. Davis replied such a definition would make the terms 
"recombinant" and "transgenic" synonymous. Dr. Atlas added he 
felt the working group was avoiding coming to grips with the 
definition of "transgenic" and said that there would be ambiguity 
without a clear definition of what is to be covered by the NIH 
Guidelines . 
Dr. Gottesman said the NIH Guidelines only dealt with transgenic 
animals in the context of recombinant DNA and that as such they 
would not cover transgenics made without the use of recombinant 
DNA. She added that if members of the RAC felt all transgenic 
animals should be included that perhaps a redefinition of 
"transgenic" or "recombinant DNA" may be in order and that this 
is a complex task and may broaden the entire scope of the NIH 
Guidelines . 
Dr. Johnson said he still felt that natural mammalian 
reproduction and hybridization experiments could be construed to 
fall under the NIH Guidelines by the current definitions and he 
suggested the word "foreign" be inserted before "DNA" to clarify 
this issue. 
Dr. Neiman said that in a mammalian cell or higher animal cell it 
could be possible to insert non-foreign DNA but in a totally 
novel context, and that perhaps "foreign" is not a solution to 
the problem of defining "transgenic." 
Dr. Cohen said he felt the decision should be made as to whether 
it is appropriate for the NIH Guidelines to be extended to cover 
all transgenic animals. This might require redefining 
"recombinant DNA" or renaming the NIH Guidelines. 
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Recombinant DNA Research, Volume 13 
