The Committee on Genetic Experimentation 
A SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE OF THE INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL OF SCIENTIFIC UNIONS 
WORKING GROUP ON RISK ASSESSMENT 
Dr. Donald S. Fredrickson 
Director 
National Institutes of Health 
Bethesda, Md. 20205 
Dear Dr. Fredrickson: 
As you know, I have served the International Council of Scientific 
Unions for the last several years as convenor of its "Working Group on 
Risk Assessment" for Recombinant DNA research.. In the light of our 
Working Group's assessments (attached), I would like to express my 
strong support for the proposal now under consideration that "recom- 
binant DNA molecules that are propagated in E. coll K-12 hosts not 
containing conjugation proficient plasmids or generalized transducing 
phages, when lambda or lambdoid bacteriophages or non-conjugative 
plasmids are used as vectors, are exempt from the Guidelines." 
The International scientific community looks to NIH for leadership 
In this area — not only for the establishment of guidelines, where they 
may be necessary, but also for an orderly dismantling when their usefulness 
is ended. This is especially vital for scientists working in countries 
whose governing bodies do not enjoy the same flexibility as our own. I 
therefore encourage you to take positive action as quickly as possible 
on this proposal which seems so clearly justified. 
Rochs Institute ot Molecular Biology 
Phone: 201-235-2466 Cable: Ho»-Roche Nuly Telex: 133417 
Nutley. N.J. 07110. U S A. 
August 14, 1979 
Sincerely, 
AMStpcp 
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