5 
rngdified weeds, however, should he carefully evaluated. He also thought releases 
involving modified microorganisms, insects, and protozoa should be carefully 
controlled. He pointed out that USDA has placed stringent control requirements 
on use of biorational control aqents v^iich include microorganisms, insects, and 
protozoa . 
Dr. Pirone asked if any Federal agency oversees releases of plants generated by 
crosses between dcmestic and wild species of plants . Dr . Tolin said seme USEA 
"weed" leqislation would co/er this type of experiment. She pointed cut that 
trivial applications versus important applications of the statutes have to be 
considered in these cases. 
Dr. Pimentel said he found the RAC specifications for a PI greenhouse disturbing. 
He thought quarantine regulations should be imposed on procedures involving 
certain organisms and the PI greenhouse reguiranents do not do this. He objected 
particularly to the lack of lancruage specifyinq air flow control. Dr. Tolin 
said the PI specification for laboratories do not require control of air flew 
and for consistency the language defining PI conditions for greenhouses should 
not specify air flow control measures. 
Dr. Pimentel felt air flew control measures were necessary to contain experiments 
involvim certain organisms. Dr. Gottesman suggested experiments involving 
these organisms should be assigned to P2 greenhouse containment conditions 
rather than modifying the PI greenhouse specifications to address this concern. 
Dr. Pimentel said he was uncomfortable with the proposals to field test the 
genetically modified ice nucleation bacteria P . syringae and E. herbicola . 
He pointed out that some Fh_ syringae strains are weak pathogens for plants and 
seme EL_ herbicola strains are human pathogens. He thought caution should be 
exercised in evaluating proposals involving weak pathogens. 
Dr. Tolin said field testing of these organisms is scheduled for a test site 
removed from areas where plants sensitive to P . syringae are cultivated . 
Dr. Tolin said Dr. Lindow had presented to RAC data on population densities, 
and the density of test organisms will be low. Dr. Lacy said Pseudomonas and 
Erwinia are very widespread in nature. 
Dr. Clowes felt that setting uniform guidelines for reviewing release experiments 
as suggested by the second recommendation of the Gore Report could be detrimental . 
He thought each proposal must be reviewed by experts possessing the requisite 
expertise and this will vary wdth each proposal. Dr. Pirone agreed; he felt 
each proposal must be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. 
Dr . Sharpies asked how the framework of principles specified in the Guidelines 
was developed. Dr. Gottesman said the framework of principles was developed 
through RAC's experience and was based on the following considerations : 
(1' the inherent potential of the host organism for pathogenicity or to 
cause harm with changes in pathogens of greater concern than changes 
in nonpathogens ; ard 
[ 370 ] 
