33 
"While there is a need for a set of general principles vbich should be 
considered for all deliberate releases, we are skeptical of the feas- 
ibility of developing a uniform set of testing requirements for all 
organisms and all environmental situations. We believe an appropriately 
constituted review group to consider specific cases will be both flexible 
and responsive to the particular problems posed by particular releases." 
Dr. McGarrity said the third recommendation of the Gore Report is as follows: 
"No deliberate release should be permitted by EPA, NIH, US DA, or any 
other federal agency until the potential environmental effects of the 
particular release have been considered by the interagency review 
panel. The panel shall consider the effects of any environmental 
release, regardless of size or intent. Each agency should evaluate 
proposals for deliberate releases according to a uniform set of guide- 
lines to be developed by the interagency task force. It is recognized 
that initially decisions nay be made on the basis of incomplete data." 
Dr. McGarrity said the working group endorsed one concept in the third 
recommendation of the Gore Report, i.e., there is a need for a review of 
environmental data and the effects of any releases. However, the Gore Report 
is inconsistent because in many sections it states progress in this rapidly 
developing technology should not be impeded, rather progress should be aided; 
on the other hand, the report suggests no environmental releases should be 
performed until an interagency task force reviews releases. The dilemma, 
however , is that an interagency task force is not in place and functioning. 
Dr. McGarrity said the working group response to the third recommendation of 
the Gore Report is contained in the response of the working group to the 
second recommendation of the Gore Report: i.e., that environmental releases 
would be reviewed by RAC and its working groups until such time as another 
appropriate review mechanism is in place. 
Dr. McGarrity said the fourth reccrnnendation of the Gore Report is that: 
"The task force should consider the need for oversight of research scale 
releases and, if appropriate, develop guidelines for reviewing proposals 
for such releases. The task force should prepare a report containing 
its conclusions on this matter within 90 days of its establishment. The 
report should be made available to the Subcommittee . " 
Dr. McGarrity said the working group replied to the fourth recaimendation 
as follows: 
"The Plant Working Group and this working group have contributed to an 
evolving set of procedures for evaluating experiments with plants and 
associated microorganisms. This process should continue and be applied 
to 'deliberate release* of other genetically engineered organisms as 
well." 
[ 486 ] 
