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Franc ma R Simnna 
tiacucva Ovactor 
for Responsible Genetic Research 
November 14, 1979 
Dr. Patricia Harris 
Secretary HEW 
Washington, D.C. 
RE: National Institutes of Health 
Dear Dr. Harris: regulation of genetic engineering 
Despite mounting evidence that there is greater hazard than pre- 
viously thought by proponents of genetic engineering, the NIH 
has elected to lower safety standards by exempting some 80-35Z 
of the research from regulation. Dr. Roy Curtiss, of the Univers- 
ity of Alabama Medical Center, who developed the host organism 
used in the technology, opposes the exemptions as "premature". 
Purther, only 14 members* of the 25 members of the NIH advisory 
committee on genetic engineering (Recombinant DNA Advisory Com- 
mittee) were present to vote cn the exemptions; only 10 members 
voted affirmatively, 4 negatively (Dr. Susan Gottesman, Dr. Karim 
Ahmed, Dr. Sheldon Krimsky, Dr. Richard Goldstein), 1 abstaining. 
Whereas this action is of such broad scope and significance as to 
have impact throughout the country, with repercussions abroad; and 
Whereas new data is being developed through current risk assessment 
experimentation sponsored by the NIH, 
We respectfully urge that: 
1. NIH Director Donald Fredrickson's decisions be 
published forthwith in the Federal Register for 
public conanent. 
2. NIH suomit an Environmental Impact Statement, con- 
cerning exemptions and other major federal actions 
to be assumed, in order to comply with the National 
Environmental Policy Act. 
3. Hew meet with Dr. Roy Curtiss and those RAC members 
who voted against the exemptions. 
Only by proceeding cautiously can we hope to avoid for this con- 
troversial technology the shoals of unrealistic optimism and 
technological inadequacy upon which the nuclear energy industry 
has foundered. 
Please call upon us for any assistance which you feel that we 
might render to you and your department. With all good wishes 
that your stay in office will help fulfill the function of the 
NIH to promote the health of the American people, 
* and Chairperson Yours very truly, - 
^ • u l - * f 
FRS : fh '.Frahcine Robinson Siaring 
Executive Director 
cc: Stevenson, Waxman, 
Cranston 
[ 369 ] 
