These guidelines, now known as the NIH Guidelines for Research Involving Recombinant DNA Molecules (NIH Guidelines), were first published in 1976 and have evolved over time, with ample scientific and public input, to reflect new technical developments and current scientific understanding. While compliance with the NIH Guidelines is mandatory for investigators at institutions receiving NIH funds for research involving recombinant DNA, they have become a universal standard for safe scientific practice in this area of research and are followed voluntarily by many companies and other institutions not otherwise subject to their requirements.
