- 5 - 
represents, those experiments constituted basic research, done for the first 
time. To develop the same information about another organism is development, 
and not research, and can be approached in a "crash" program, which will produce 
results quickly. 
The same argument applies, with even greater force, to finding an animal 
virus vector. One may specifically select an animal virus which does not mul- 
tiply in mammals at all or cause any transformation in mammals or mamnalian cell 
culture under any conditions. Since the information obtained about SV 40 and 
polyoma has been obtained, not in 30 years, but in approximately 10 years of 
research, it should be possible to duplicate these experiments relatively 
quickly for a potentially safer system. While it is difficult to estimate the 
time it would take for a "crash" program to develop new vectors, when one con- 
siders the rapid results one gets in developmental and applied projects, when 
sufficient personnel and money are used (for instance, in the effort to put a 
man on the moon) , I consider that 2-5 years is a reasonable figure. 
I believe certain types of recombinant DNA research — those involving 
insertion of genetic information from the bacterium into the same species (for 
instance, vitro recombination of markers from coll and its plasmids into 
E. coli ) is perfectly permissible, since such exchanges undoubtedly occur con- 
tinually in nature. Thus, such research could be continuing during development 
of the vectors described above. 
I am aware that I am not unique in suggesting these alternatives, which 
have probably been considered and rejected previously. But after the great 
humanitarian effort involved in imposing a moratorium on recombinant research, 
it would be ironic and tragic if it were lifted too soon. It will be argued 
that the money needed for a "crash" program might be much more profitably spent 
on the recombinant DNA research itself — basic research with exciting potential — 
than in a repetitious developmental project. But such an evaluation is correct 
only if the dangers suggested above are incorrect. If they have a possibility 
of being real, then the world can certainly postpone the benefits of clone- 
synthesized hormones and enzymes for 5 years or less, if the delay insured that 
these benefits would accrue with far less risk. 
; 
November 1, 1976 
* 
Laboratory of Biochemical Pharmacology 
National Institute of Arthritis, 
Metabolism, and Digestive Diseases 
National Institutes of Health 
* Given for purposes of Identification only. 
The views herein are the author's and are not Intended to represent those 
of the institution with which she is affiliated. 
Appendix K — 123 
