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The NIH Guidelines identify experiments which are not to be performed 
at the present time. For permissible experiments, the Guidelines define 
levels of physical and biological containment, and classify contain- 
ment criteria for different kinds of recombinant DNAs . Used in the combination 
specified in the Guidelines, these measures are designed to afford protection 
to workers and the environment while permitting this important line of research 
to proceed. 
The NIH Guidelines also define the responsibilities of investigators, 
institutions where the research is conducted, and NIH staff and advisory 
committees . 
Dr. Fredrickson noted that NIH recognizes a special obligation to 
disseminate the Guidelines as widely as possible. Accordingly, the Guidelines 
will be sent to all of the approximately 25,000 NIH grantees and contractors. 
Major professional societies which represent scientists working in this area 
will also be asked to endorse the Guidelines. 
The Guidelines will be sent to medical and scientific journals. Dr. 
Fredrickson will ask the editors of these journals to request that investigators 
include a description of the physical and biological containment procedures 
used in any recombinant research they report on. 
Dr. William Gartland, who will head the NIH Office of Recombinant DNA 
Activities, will leave today for Geneva to brief various international health 
and scientific organizations with responsibility in this area. He will meet 
with the World Health Organization Advisory Committee on Medical Research that 
will be reviewing this matter this week. 
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