Attachment III - Page 2 
Is also designed to serve as a coordinating entity for biotechnology 
regulatory activities within the federal government. While the BSB 
will be involved In regulating aspects of commercial biotechnology, 
however, I believe that It Is totally Inappropriate for It to attempt 
to become involved at this time In oversight of human gene therapy 
experiments. The Board is simply not equipped for that purpose. 
A vigorous public debate has taken place that supports the role 
of the Biotechnology Science Board in overseeing certain commercial 
biotechnology activities. Moroever, it 16 clear that the types of 
tasks to be performed by the BSB, such as the development of a 
workable risk assesssment methodology for deliberate release 
proposals, are best handled by an Interagency group of this sort. 
Similar conditions do not exist concerning BSB Involvement in 
human gene therapy. The debate over gene therapy is Just now 
beginning, and the Issues of greatest importance are oriented more 
significantly toward ethical decisions, rather than purely scientific 
analysis. While obviously there are major scientific questions 
involved in any gene therapy experiment, the Recombinant DNA Advisory 
Committee has done an adequate job of addressing the scientific issues 
to date, and it appears capable of continuing to do 60 for the 
immediate future. 
Both the Senate and House of Representatives have approved 
legislation to establish a national commission on bioethics, and it is 
anticipated that this legislation will become law before the end of 
this year. The first issue to be considered by the commission will be 
human genetic engineering. The commission will consider the prospects 
for human gene therapy in this country and its implications and will 
report its findings to the Congress. The commission will undoubtedly 
consider whether a formalized regulatory structure, like the BSB, for 
gene therapy will be needed. Until the appropriateness of any such 
regulatory regime is clear, however, the BSB should abstain from any 
effort to bring gene therapy within its purview. 
It is my desire to 6 ee the Biotechnology Science Board proceed 
with the mission for which it was created. Attempts to expand the 
Board into areas for which it is ill-equipped can only divert it from 
that mission and result in self-defeating controversy. 
I look forward to your reply 
Albert Core Jr. / 
United States Senator 
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