Mr. Brewer suggested that the Subcommittee edit the proposals with 
strong and specific criticisms. The Subcommittee should 
concentrate on the legitimate concerns of the shippers. 
Dr. Atlas suggested, as an alternative, to label recombinant DNA 
molecules "non-hazardous chemicals” rather than ”etiologic" or 
"infectious agents." However, recombinant DNA molecules could 
still transform and express themselves as etiologic agents, which 
would remain a potential problem. The agent he was referring to 
was "naked viral DNA," an uncoated portion of DNA that has been 
taken out of a virus . 
Dr. Langston believed that some uncoated viruses will remain 
infectious, and arguments about the circumstances under which they 
could become infectious were irrelevant. Dr. Stevenson said that 
the Subcommittee should avoid including all recombinant DNA 
products under the title "infectious or etiologic agents," which 
would merely confuse the issues involved in shipping recombinant 
DNA products. He believed that regulation could apply exclusively 
to recombinant DNA molecules contained in a virus or organism, but 
not to recombinant DNA molecules per se . Furthermore, he believed 
that the resolution to such questions was not in the purview of the 
Subcommittee . 
Dr. Langston argued that viral DNA containing a piece of 
recombinant DNA should be covered in the shipping regulations, 
regardless of whether a whole virus is involved. Mr. Brewer asked 
if Dr. Langston were addressing a gap in the existing NIH 
Guidelines. Dr. McVicar stated that the CDC doesn't currently 
cover this gap. He noted that he recently saw a paper on 
infectious DNA or RNA where laboratory experiments has demonstrated 
that recombinant DNA molecules, uncontained and at a very low order 
of activity, could become infectious, even though the scientist who 
carried out the experiment had to "strain" to arrive at these 
results. Nonetheless, a RAC member may object to a reference to 
non-contained recombinant DNA in the NIH Guidelines for shipping 
purposes . 
Dr. Atlas suggested that the preamble specify that "organisms and 
viral genomes" were covered by the NIH Guidelines for shipping 
purposes. This would allow the inclusion of animals as well as 
recombinant DNA molecules not contained in viruses. Dr. Stevenson 
believed that "viral constructs" should be substituted for viral 
genomes . 
Dr. Langston agreed with Dr. Atlas' suggestions and asked if 
recombinant RNA should be included as well. Dr. Atlas believed 
that recombinant RNA might be included as a recombinant molecule. 
Dr. Stevenson said that he did not know that recombinant RNA 
existed. Dr. Atlas suggested that recombinant RNA be the subject 
of a future Definitions Subcommittee meeting. Therefore, the 
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