LYNN — The City Council voted on Tuesday to approve an ordinance on recombinant DNA (rDNA) technology after tightening restrictions pertaining to physical-containment requirements.
The ordinance was conceived this year by Mayor Jared Nicholson, City Council President Jay Walsh and the Public Health Department, and drafted by the Law Department in an effort to provide the legal base to attract life-science and biotechnology businesses to the city.
Recombinant DNA is defined by www.sciencedirect.com, as a method of joining two or more DNA molecules to create a hybrid. Arguments outlined online about this science touch on medical benefits versus ethical — and public safety — concerns.
The ordinance provides additional local oversight of rDNA research and development in the city, said Assistant City Solicitor James Lamanna. Otherwise, it would only be protected by general state and federal research and development laws.
“This gives an extra layer of (a) local set of eyes on these types of facilities,” Lamanna said.
The ordinance adopts National Institutes of Health guidelines outlining the permitting process, restrictions, inspections and establishes a Lynn Biosafety Committee.
The Council held a public hearing on March 22, where several city officials and residents were able to speak in favor and in opposition to the ordinance.
On Tuesday, Ward 1 Councilor Wayne Lozzi proposed to revise Section 9 of the proposed ordinance before voting on it. Lozzi suggested an amendment to the permitted use of recombinant DNA in the City of Lynn, from that requiring physical containment level of no greater than bio level 3 (BL3) to bio level 2 (BL2).
According to the National Institutes of Health guidelines for research involving recombinant molecules, these molecules are constructed in the laboratory by joining naturally occurring chemical compounds that can replicate in a living cell.
The objective of physical containment is to confine organisms containing recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules and to reduce the potential for exposure of the laboratory worker, persons outside of the laboratory, and the environment to them.
Physical containment is achieved on four designated levels — BL1, BL2, BL3 and BL4 — through the use of laboratory practices, containment equipment, and special laboratory design.
Walsh said Lozzi’s amendment was a result of the questions and concerns the public brought up during the public hearing.
“I think it showed the government is actually working,” said Walsh. “That is a good spot for us to be, in trying to attract labs to come in.”
Ward 2 Councilor Rick Starbard commended Lozzi for the work he has done for the council on the ordinance.
Several members of the public wanted to speak again about rDNA at this week’s meeting, but were not able to since the public hearing on the proposed ordinance was closed on March 22.
Walsh said this is the rule of the council and a common practice that the public comments are not allowed outside of the public hearing.“It would just continue to go on and on and on,” said Walsh.
While the city was working on the ordinance, it has already received numerous inquiries from people in the biotech industry, Walsh said.
