21 
required. Dr. Nightingale seconded the motion. Dr. Gill said the 
function of the RAC is to determine whether certain genes can be safely 
cloned, not to determine whether risk assessment is appropriate. If 
the gene is to be cloned, however, it is reasonable to test the patho- 
genicity of the organism. 
Dr. Dandy asked if the RAC could overrule the IBC and, as two IBCs are 
involved, which IBC has precedence. Dr . Gartland replied that the more 
stringent IBC ruling would have precedence. Dr. Talbot said that if 
the RAC passed Dr. Holmes' motion, the RAC's recommendation would be 
brought to the IBC's attention and they would be asked to reconsider. 
If they upheld their original judgement requiring risk assessment 
experiments, that ruling would stand. 
Dr. McKinney said the primary question is whether the P4 facility can 
safely contain the organism. He believed it would. He called the 
question on Dr. King Holmes' motion. By a vote of twelve in favor, 
one opposed, and no abstentions, the question was called. Dr. Be ms 
then called the vote on Dr. Holmes' motion to recommend that risk 
assessment experiments not be required. By a vote of one in favor, 
ten opposed, and two abstentions, the motion was defeated. 
Dr. Nightingale moved that approval for stage I of Dr. Murphy's experi- 
ments be rescinded. As no second was given, the discussion ended. 
B. Proposal to Construct a Hybrid Gene 
Dr. Gottesman introduced the proposal (tab 1086) from Dr. John Murphy 
of Harvard Medical School to construct a hybrid molecule in which the 
gene coding for the melanocyte stimulating hormone (MSH) is joined to 
a segment of the gene encoding diphtheria toxin (stage II experiments). 
The diphtheria toxin gene segment would encode the A subunit and por- 
tions of the B subunit. The segment would be devoid of the diphtheria 
toxin binding domain. The MSH gene would be a synthetic oligonucleotide. 
The MSH-diphtheria toxin hybrid gene would be introduced into poorly 
mobilizable plasmids such as pBR322, PUC9, or PUC8, and cloned in 
E. coli EKl host-vector systems. Dr. Gottesman said Dr. Murphy proposed 
that work leading up to the gene fusion would be conducted under 
PI + EKl containment, but the hybrid gene would be propagated in E. 
coli K-12 in high containment Building 550 at the Frederick Cancer 
Research Facility. 
Dr. Gill asked Dr. Murphy how he would determine that the clone was 
safe to remove from the P4 facility. Dr. Murphy replied that he did 
not knew as he couldn't predict the biological activity of the fusion 
product. Dr. Kaper said that if the materials were to be removed frem 
the P4 facility, risk assessment should be performed, and RAC should be 
consulted. 
[ 27 ] 
