13 
reserved for proven human cancer viruses. The moderate level is approxi- 
mately equivalent to P3 containment, and the low level is approximately 
equivalent to the P2 containment level. He said a committee had been 
formed within NCI to reassess the standards in light of information gained 
over the last decade. The canmittee also is attempting to recommend safe- 
guards which correspond to those specified in the CDC-NIH Guidelines. 
Dr. Barkley said the NCI revision is expected to be completed in June. 
Dr. Barkley said the RAC Working Group on Classification of Microorganisms 
will use the revised NCI viral oncology standards and the CDC-NIH Guidelines 
to make recommendations for revision of Appendix B, Classification of 
Microorganisms on the Basis of Hazard , of the NIH Guidelines for Research 
Involving Recombinant CNA Molecules. 
VI. REPORT OF WORKING GROUP ON REVISION OF THE GUIDELINES 
Dr. Nightingale reported on the January 21, 1983, meeting (tab 1102) of the 
Working Group on Revision of the Guidelines. She said the working group 
discussed several topics: 
(1) agricultural issues, particularly dissemination into the 
environment for plants; 
(2) a review of the letters received frcm Institutional Biosafety 
Committee (IBC) chairpersons in response to a questionnaire on 
IBC function; 
(3) the desirability of expediting reviews of proposals between 
RAC meetings and if so, how; 
(4) a proposal to incorporate the Physical Containment Recommen- 
dations for Large-Scale Uses of Organisms containing Recombinant 
DNA Molecules into the Guidelines as an appendix; 
(5) the status of Recombinant DNA Advisory Committee (RAC) subcom- 
mittees and working groups; and 
(6) the current requirements for P4 physical containment. 
Dr. Nightingale said the working group first discussed the issue of field 
experimentation with plants. The working group agreed that language speci- 
fying guidelines for agricultural field experimentation should be developed. I 
Dr. Nightingale said Drs. Tblin and Scandalios were assigned this task. 
The language developed by Drs. Tolin and Scandalios will be discussed later 
later in the RAC meeting. (See Item VIII. Proposed Amendment of Section 
III-A-2 and Addition of a New Section III-B-4-c . ) 
Dr. Nightingale said the working group then reviewed the responses of 
the IBCs (tab 1099) to a questionnaire. Dr. Nightingale said ORDA had 
solicited responses from IBC chairpersons concerning: 
I 1 
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