University of Illinois Biotechnology Center 
J 
at Urbana-Champaien 105 observatory 217 333-1695 
901 South Mathews Avenue 
Urbana, IL 61801 
September 4, 1987 
Dr. William J. Gartland, 
Executive Secretary 
Recombinant DNA Advisory Committee 
National Institutes of Health 
12441 Parklawn Drive, Suite 58 
Rockville, Maryland 20852 
Dear Dr. Gartland: 
We would like to comment on the proposed additions to the NIH Guidelines 
for Research Involving Recombinant DNA Molecules as published in the 
Federal Register, August 11, 1987. 
Faculty at the University of Illinois will possibly be involved in 
experiments with whole plants requiring Biosafety level 3 containment in 
the near future. The cost for construction of containment greenhouses 
meeting the proposed guidelines, would pose a severe economic burden on 
the University. In most cases it would not be possible to modify 
existing facilities. One major concern is the provision for collection 
and decontamination of large volumes of liquid run-off that would be 
generated in a greenhouse. 
The University understands the necessity of containment, and will of 
course comply with all of the NIH guidelines, but some areas of research 
may have to be curtailed without additional support from federal funding 
agencies to aid in construction of proper containment facilities. 
Biotechnology Center 
cc: Vice Chancellor for Research, Judith S. Liebman 
Asst. Vice Chancellor for Research, Sarah Wasserman 
Recombinant DNA Research, Volume 13 
[339] 
