Department of Microbiology 
and Immunology 
Baylor College of Medicine 
Texas Medical Center 
Houston, Texas 77030 
(713) 790-4471 
ROBERT P. WILLIAMS 
Chairman 
Board of Governors 
Ampriran Ar 
of Hflirmbuilogy 
R. F. ACKER 
Executive Director 
Headquarters Office 
1913 I Street. N.W. 
Washington. D.C. 20006 
(202) 833-9680 
December 26, 1979 
Dr. Donald Fredrickson 
Director, National Institutes of Health 
Bethesda, MD 20205 
Dear Dr. Fredrickson: 
You may be interested in comments about the proposed changes in the 
guidelines for use of recombinant DNA as published in the Federal Register of 
November 30, 1979. These changes represent a realistic modification of the 
excessively restrictive guidelines previously proposed. In particular, the down- 
grading of the containment required for experiments that use Escherichia coli K-12 
host vector system is most appropriate. Every day microbiologists throughout the 
United States isolate and manipulate pathogenic bacteria in clinical laboratories. 
These laboratories usually operate at the level of PI containment, and accidents 
in which the pathogenic bacteria have been released are few. My point is that 
by the use of common aseptic techniques that are known to all microbiologists 
who work with pathogenic bacteria, containment of such host vector systems in 
E.. coli K-12 should not provide a hazard. As the microbiologists have pointed 
out in the past, any investigator who works with bacteria should be thoroughly 
trained in the use of aseptic techniques. This type of training applies particularly 
to recombinant DNA experiments. 
The scientists who advise the committees that deal with recombinant DNA 
problem are capable and competent. Their efforts to prepare safe guidelines are 
enormous, and they approach the task with considerable dedication. I am confident 
that their advice should be taken seriously. The revised guidelines were proposed 
only after careful consideration. The National Institutes of Health under your 
guidance have approached this problem with careful and thoughtful deliberation. 
Your efforts merit the praise of all laymen and scientists. 
Robert P. Williams, Ph.D. 
Chairman, Board of Governors 
ml 
cc: Robert F . Acker 
Harlyn 0. Halvorson 
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