26 
(2) The cloning vehicle is to be an EKl vector, preferably belonging 
to the class of poorly mobilized plasmids, such as pBR322, 
pBR328, and pBR325. 
Dr. Fedoroff seconded the motion. 
Mr. Jeremy Rifkin was recognized and said he felt that a critical turning 
point has been reached with this technology. He thought this turning 
point similar to the turning point in the nuclear technology discussions 
where it became very obvious there was a convertibility between the 
peaceful use of nuclear technology and its possible military applications. 
Mr. Rifkin felt this convertibility was especially obvious in relation 
to the use of plutonium in the nuclear energy industry ard its use in 
military weapons. 
Mr. Rifkin said that in the last few months several disturbing events 
occurred: (1) the Wall Street Journal published a seven part series on 
possible military applications of genetic engineering in the Soviet Union; 
(2) the American Association for the Advancement of Science held a panel 
on biological warfare at their annual meeting at which a spokesperson fran 
the Defense Information Agency pointed out the convertibility between 
peaceful uses of this technology and military applications ; and ( 3 ) Environ- 
mental Action and the Foundation on Economic Trends joined in releasing to 
the public a mathematical model fran the leading Soviet mathematical modeler 
of epidemiological studies. This scientist is concerned that the mathemati- 
cal model he developed for tracing and tracking viruses could be used for 
military purposes. 
Mr. Rifkin said he was curious about the interest in Shiga toxin because it 
was his understanding that this particular form of dysentery is not found 
in any significant way in the United States but is pandemic to the five 
countries of Central America. He said: 
"...it doesn't take much intelligence to understand that it would be 
very helpful to have such a vaccine, if for no other reason, to 
inoculate U.S. ground trocps." 
He added that: 
"U.S. ground trocps having that kind of vaccine would be able to be in 
a position to be deployed in those five Central American countries 
with the protection of that vaccine." 
Mr. Rifkin suggested that RAC: 
"...postpone cons ideration of this experiment and similar experiments 
by DOD or DOD-related institutions until such time as another agency, 
the Arms Control and Disarmament Agency, ccmplies with the ACIS 
requirements . " 
[479] 
