16 
Dr. Gottesman questioned whether it would be better to use this document 
as advice to investigators and IBCs rather than formally incorporating 
it into the NIH Guidelines. Drs. Fedoroff and McKinney thought it 
would be preferrable not to formally incorporate it into the Guidelines. 
Er . Fedoroff included this suggestion in her proposed amendments. 
Dr. Tblin suggested this information be published in the Recombinant ENA 
Technical Bulletin . 
By a vote of seventeen in favor, none opposed, and no abstentions, the RAC 
recommended that the following language not be incorporated into the 
Guidelines but be available as advice to investigators and IBCs: 
"If the IBC requires PI growth conditions for plants, this can 
be met by either: (1) a limited access greenhouse, or (2) a plant 
growth chamber, which are insect-restrictive and in which a pest 
control regime is maintained. Sterilization of run-off water is 
required only where this is a plausible route for dissemination 
of viable microorganisms containing recombinant ENA. Soil, plant 
parts, and unwanted plant material shall be sterilized before 
disposal. Plant materials which have to be removed from the 
greenhouse or cabinet for further research shall be maintained 
under good laboratory practices as applied to plants. Plants 
can be transported locally, e.g. , between laboratory, grcwth 
chamber, and greenhouse, at physically separated locations provided: 
(1) plants are in a vegetative condition, i.e., no reproductive 
organs or structures (e.g., pollen, flowers, seeds) are present, 
or the reproductive organs of the plants are covered to prevent 
the dispersal of reproductive cells and spores; (2) plants are 
kept in an enclosed area or container (i.e., waterproof, insect- 
restrictive); and (3) plants are essentially 'hand-couriered' 
between locations." 
V. DISCUSSION OF LETTER FROM CONGRESSMAN GORE INCLUDING PAPER ON REASSOCIATION 
OF A MODIFIED MYCORRHIZA WITH THE HOST PLANT ROOlg 
Mr. Mitchell asked Dr. Fedoroff to begin the discussion of a letter (tab 
1126) from Congressman Albert Gore Jr. (Tenn. ) , the Chairman of the House 
Subcommittee on Investigations and Oversight of the Committee on Science 
and Technology. Mr. Gore's letter dealt with several issues related to 
the deliberate release of genetically engineered organisms into the environ- 
ment. Mr. Gore called attention to a report in the literature involving 
the fusion of two microorganisms; this report suggests the resultant 
organism expressed pathogenic characteristics possessed by neither parent. 
Dr. Fedoroff reviewed the article entitled "Reassociation of a Modified 
Mycorrhiza with the Host Plant Roots (Pinus Radiata) and the Transfer of 
Acetylene Reduction Activity" by Drs. K. L. Giles and H. C. M. Whitehead 
(Plant and Soil 48, 143-152 (1977)). Dr. Fedoroff said the authors were 
attempting to assess the potential for reassociation of modified strains 
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