Document 24 
HE WORCESTER FOUNDATION FOR EXPERIMENTAL BIOLOGY 
Dr. Donald Fredrickson 
Director 
National Institutes of Health 
Bethesda, Maryland 20014 
Dear Dr. Frederickson, 
I have read a copy of the letter of October 12, 1976 sent to 
you by Dr. Susan Wright et and am writing to express my support 
for this responsible and intelligent document. In particular, I 
endorse the view that all recombinant DNA research should be con- 
fined to a small number of strategically-located national labora- 
tories. While I would argue that some of these could be P-3 
facilities, and a few P-4, I strongly support the view that 
experiments now classified as P-1 or P-2 be conducted in these 
regional facilities as well. Not only would this largely eliminate 
the proliferation of facilities of marginal reliability, it would 
greatly improve the prospects for enforcement of the guidelines. 
The mechanisnvy of enforcement currently in use represent the single 
weakest component of the guidelines. The policy of restricting 
recombinant DNA research to national facilities should, and probably 
will, be reversible. It merely provides a prudent mechanism for 
providing sound physical facilities and highly-competent personnel 
for this important research, under sound regulation. As more is 
learned, there is no reason why a national laboratory policy could 
not be abolished for at least some forms of this research. 
I know you will be giving the letter by Wright et and 
related views careful consideration. You have acted most responsibly 
in this area up to now, and I'm sure you will continue to be 
responsive to the various points of view on this important matter. 
With best regards. 
»'U, 01545 
Telephone (617) 842*0921 
October 29, 1976 
x" ■ 
Co-Director, Cancer Center 
TP : pjc 
Appendix K — 118 
