STANFORD UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER 
STANFORD, CALIFORNIA 94305 
VRTMENT OF BIOCHEMISTRY 
•ord University School of Medicine 
Area Code 415 
497-6161 
September 19, 1980 
Dr. William Gartland, Chief 
Office of Recombinant DNA Activities 
National Institutes of Health 
Building 31, Room 4A-52 
Bethesda, Maryland 20205 
Dear Dr. Gartland: 
This letter concerns the NIH Guidelines for Research involving 
recombinant DNA. In the August 21st issue of the Federal Registry con- 
cerning recombinant DNA research, there was a proposal by Maxine Singer 
to eliminate the requirement for obtaining MUA's to carry on recombi- 
nant DNA experiments. I strongly support this proposal and feel that it 
is time for ORDA to turn these responsibilities over to the local IBC's. 
This would place more responsibilities on the local IBC's, where I think 
it belongs. It is essential that the bureaucracy Surrounding recombinant 
DNA research be progressively decreased. 
Sincerely 
Ronald W. Davis 
Professor of Biochemistry 
RWD/ns 
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