responsibility within the RAC for the scientific review of all propo- 
sals dealing with recombinant DNA. 
3 . Should all portions of all RAC meetings be open to the public ? We 
believe that portions of RAC meetings should be closed. In view of the 
fact that regulatory agencies have deferred to the scientific expertise 
of RAC in recombinant DNA technology, we have supported the decision of 
RAC to accept review of programs from industry. In doing so we have 
recognized and supported the view that confidentiality must be 
respected. This is not only appropriate, but has provided to the 
public the assurance of oversight over experiments conducted by 
industry. The need for confidentiality in dealing with proprietary 
information has precedence in interactions of industry with the Food and 
Drug Administration (FDA), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) 
and the Commerce Department. We see no reason why this should not also 
apply to the NIH. 
4. Should the NIH Guidelines be limited strictly to biomedical research ? 
Again, we respond in the negative. The assignment of recombinant DNA 
to NIH is not because of its predominance in biomedical research but 
because it deals with the basic science that underlies the technology. 
We are concerned that if this assignment were extended to other agen- 
cies it would only add complications to the oversight. If the workload 
is dramatically increased then the size of RAC should be increased or 
subcommittees should be created. We have consistently supported and 
encouraged the expansion of RAC which would provide it with the scien- 
tific expertise to deal with areas such as agriculture, the environ- 
ment, etc. 
We are encouraged by the role that RAC has played in a difficult area in 
basic science in the United States and world wide. We are prepared as a 
society to add our support and assistance to the National Institutes of 
Health in carrying out this important function, both for basic science and 
for technology. 
Sincerely, 
0 . 
Harlyn 0. Halvorson, Ph.D. 
Chairman, Public and Scientific 
Affairs Board (PSAB) 
American Society for Microbiology 
(ASM) 
HOH/jat 
[ 662 ] 
