7 
Dr. Martin suggested that in reviewing social and ethical issues, the report 
"Splicing Life" might provide guidance; RAC could determine whether a proposal 
is consistent with the principles offered in "Splicing Life." Dr. Nightingale 
pointed out that "Splicing Life" is a one-time report and the situation is not 
going to be static. Mr. Mitchell added that gray areas exist in the report 
"Splicing Life." 
Dr. Walters felt that protecting human subjects is part of the work of the 
RAC and is part, implicitly, of RAC's deliberations. Dr. Martin agreed but 
pointed out that real concern will arise when RAC gives permission to pro- 
ceed. lb date, RAC has not evaluated such cases and thus has no track record. 
Mr. Mitchell asked if any other group has a track record. Dr. Martin replied 
that no group has yet faced these questions. 
Dr. Gottesman agreed that RAC has beem making implicit value judgements but said 
the group would be recommending that RAC now make explicit value judgements. 
She felt RAC would have to acknowledge that it will explicitly confront and 
consider social and ethical issues. 
Dr. Gottesman then offered a draft proposal, which was polished by the working 
group to read as follows: 
"Ihe Working Group agrees that there is a need for ongoing 
consideration of the ethical and social implications of the 
application of genetic technology to humans. Within this 
context, RAC should be prepared to consider social and ethical 
issues related to the applications of recombinant DNA 
technologies. For specific cases which come before the 
committee, RAC should consider explicitly issues such as those 
raised in the "Splicing Life" report of the President's 
Commission for the Study of Ethical Problems in Medicine and 
Biomedical and Behavioral Research. We, therefore, recommend 
that: 
"(1) The membership of the RAC be modified to include adequate 
representation to deal credibly with these issues. 
"(2) Procedures should be developed for the coordinate 
consideration of experiments involving the use of 
recombinant CNA technology in humans by Institutional 
Review Boards, the Office for Protection from Research 
Risks, the Food and Drug Administration, Institutional 
Biosafety Committees, the Office of Recombinant DNA 
Activities, and the Recombinant CNA Advisory Committee. 
"(3) The NIH Guidelines for Research Involving Recombinant 
DNA Molecules should be reviewed for their adequacy and 
clarity in dealing with human experimentation. 
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