On June 1, 1983, the NIH authorized the release of a form of a genetically engineered frost inhibiting bacteria into a potato field. The bacteria acted in such a way as to prevent the formation of ice.

[elxperiments in these categories may be excepted from the prohibitions.., provided that these
experiments are expressly approved by the Director, NIH

One day the NIH had no control over deliberate release experiments, the next day it had such power, and could deny or allow experimentation on almost a whim.

http://www.uakron.edu/dotAsset/01da5583-1ad4-46e3-9632-fdf3e743a5a6.pdf

A look at Asilomar 1 on recombinant DNA 10 Years Later...