Dr. Donald Fredrickson 
December 11, 1979 
page -2- 
At our last RAC meeting, Richard Novick brought up the possibility of redefining 
the purpose of the Guidelines, so that they would address themselves only to 
those recombinants that present a clearly perceived hazard. The issue did not 
come to a vote. I strongly support such a redefinition of purpose, provided 
it is accompanied by appropriate enabling action to allow exemption where no 
hazard is clearly perceived. The E . coli K-12/P1 measure relaxes regulation 
of a class of recombinants for which no hazard has ever been clearly perceived, 
and with which we already have extensive experience. If there is any hope of 
making the rules rational and realistic, this measure is certainly a good way 
to start. If this measure fails, it will be difficult to regard that goal 
as achievable. 
Sincerely yours , 
Allan Campbell 
Professor of Biology 
AC /an 
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