Dr. Donald Fredrickson 
2 
that an effort should be made to avoid this pattern of failure 
to anticipate hazard, followed by a regulatory effort after a 
crisis. Yet by proposing a system of voluntary compliance, you 
are In fact proposing to establish Just the situation In which 
that pattern Is likely to be repeated. We have a wealth of experience 
with the private sector which shows. In general, that voluntary 
controls for which there are no effective sanctions do not work. 
Since the United States Is In a strong position In the recombinant 
DNA field, It should be In a correspondingly strong position to 
develop a model regulatory code. (It Is Ironic that so far, that 
responsibility has been taken up by smaller countries which can 
111 afford to lose out In the competition for technological dominance.) 
I strongly urge that the NIH take the advice of Its Recombinant 
DNA Advisory Committee which recommended uniform mandatory controls 
at Its meeting on May 21-23, 1979 . While I would agree with your 
earlier statements that NIH Itself Is not the appropriate body to 
develop or Implement regulations, NIH nevertheless could exert a 
a strong influence in pressing for such controls. 
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