Document 28 
Department of Medicine and Surgery 
VETERANS ADMINISTRATION 
Washington, D.C. 20420 
NOV 1 1 1978 
5 
(J 
3 
Mr. Charles Custard 
Director, Office of Environmental Affairs 
Office of the Secretary 
Department of Health, Education and Welfare 
200 Independence Ave., S. VI. Roan 524F2 
Washington, D. C. 20201 
Dear Mr. Custard: 
We have reviewed the Draft Environmental Impact Statement concerning 
the Guidelines for Research Involving Recombinant Dt'JA Molecules, 
developed by the National Institutes of Health, sent with your letter 
of September 2, 1976. The following comments are offered. 
It is obvious to us that work on recombinant OslA molecules holds great 
potential significance for understanding and treatment of human disease, 
and we strongly recommend that it be permitted to go forward in the most 
expeditious fashion possible. We fully recognize the potential hazards 
that would result if micro-organisms rendered harmful to humans, animals 
or plants through recombinant EWA experiments were introduced into the 
environment. Accordingly, we support the attempt to generate guidelines 
for this research which will eliminate such hazards. 
It is impossible to currently assess the appropriateness of the National 
Institutes of Health's existing guidelines for recombinant EWA research. 
However, they appear to represent the most definitive approach that we 
can now take on these matters. For this reason, it appears appropriate 
that we adopt them with the understanding that they will be subject to 
regular review and indicated modifications. 
It appears that general Federal regulation of all such research is 
mandatory as long as uncertainty remains about the potential outcomes 
of these experiments. We suggest that the monitoring tie accomplished 
by a new national coimission so that all relevant points of view may 
be allowed expression. Placing such a responsibility in an existing 
Federal agency is less likely to produce such a result. 
We appreciate the opportunity to comment on this draft environmental 
impact statement. 
Sincerely, 
JACK S. WESTALL 
Assistant Chief Medical Director 
for Administration 
Show vtttran's full norm, VA filt numbir, and social stcurity number on all corrispondtnci. 
Appendix K — 157 
