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evaluation and application, each institution or group of institutions where 
research on DNA recombinants takes place should form a biohazard committee 
that would have the following two functions. The first and most useful function 
would be to serve as a source of advice and references regarding: (i) the avail- 
ability and quality of the safety equipment and laboratory installation modes 
required for P3 and P4 physical containment, (ii) the availability and level 
of biological containment of different kinds of host-vector systems, (iii) 
suitable training of personnel, and (iv) more general data on the potential 
biohazards associated with different types of recombinant DNAs. To this 
end, each local biohazard committee should create a central reference file 
and library of catalogues, books, articles, newsletters, and other communi- 
cations relevant to the above subjects. 
The second, more formal function of this committee would be to examine 
the equipment and installations in laboratories requiring P3 or P4 physical 
containment, and, if they meet the requirements for such containment, to so 
certify. It is not the responsibility of the local committee to determine 
either the scientific quality or the containment conditions required for 
a given project. 
When investigators apply to an agency for funds to support research 
projects involving recombinant DNAs, or whenever they decide to initiate 
or significantly change research on recombinant DNAs under existing 
grants, they should provide the agency with the above certification 
for the facility or plans for the facility (if the research requires 
P3 or P4 physical containment) along with a statement containing their 
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