Class 4 contained the most dangerous agents. He noted that the 
biosafety levels will also cover plants. 
Dr. Langston focussed the discussion on regulation of plant 
shipment. She recommended that: (1) the agents to be shipped as 
etiologic agents should consist of "infectious recombinant DNA 
molecules contained in recombinant organisms;" (2) any organism 
regulated by the NIH Guidelines should be evaluated with respect to 
its infectiousness to humans and plants. Dr. McVicar asked which 
agency offers guidelines or regulates the shipment of plants 
containing recombinant molecules. Dr. McKinney answered that the 
NIH Guidelines include a reference to plants and Dr. Langston added 
that the Department of Agriculture does as well. Dr. Stevenson 
objected that some plant agents, while classified as infectious and 
therefore subject to regulations, are actually not infectious for 
anything and are good carriers as well. Dr. McVicar said that this 
brought the Subcommittee back to the usage of "infectious, 
contagious, or disease-causing" as categories for shipping 
purposes. Dr. Langston believed that "infectious" was the key 
word. 
Dr. McKinney said that a unique set of conditions must be met for 
the activation of opportunistic pathogens or for organisms to 
express themselves as pathogens. He believed that the regulations 
must address the norm rather than the exceptions. Otherwise, the 
process for categorization of "etiologic agents" will be impossible 
to complete. He believed that the Subcommittee should not address 
this issue today. 
Dr. Langston noted that disease susceptibility is increased in 
people who are immunosuppressed. Therefore, even apparently non- 
inf ectious agents must be explored. Dr. Stevenson objected that 
all microbes are potentially infectious. Therefore, Dr. Langston's 
reasoning would require all microbes to be shipped as "etiologic 
agents." He argued that the Subcommittee must seek to address the 
norm, though further debate is required to define the exact 
parameters for the NIH Guidelines. 
Mr. Brewer said that the discussion of Appendix H has raised 
important public policy and political questions. The Subcommittee 
must address the perceptions and fears of the public carefully and 
fully. The burden of proof will fall on the RAC. 
Dr. McVicar agreed with Mr. Brewer, stating that shippers must 
package all biological materials in the same manner. Leaked blood, 
even if it is not infectious, is a violation of standards and 
always inappropriate. Dr. Langston concurred, stating that leaked 
blood appears alarming and will always provoke public anxieties. 
Dr. McKinney mentioned that the Subcommittee must also consider 
transgenic animals, which are recombinant organisms. The current 
packaging arrangements are inappropriate, though adequate materials 
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