DUKE UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER 
Department of Microbiology 
and immunology 21 December 1979 
Dr. Donald S. Fredrickson 
Director, National Institutes of Health 
Bethesda, Maryland 20205 
Dear Dr. Fredrickson, 
I am writing concerning the proposed changes in the NIH 
Guidelines of Recombinant DNA research. I would like to express 
my strong support for the proposal that experiments involving 
propagation of recombinant DNA molecules in EL coli K12 be 
carried out at the P1/EK1 level of containment and that these 
experiments be registered with the local IBC, prior review and 
approval by which would only be required for experiments involving 
deliberate attempts to have EL coli K12 express efficiently a 
gene coding for a eukaryotic protein. The reason why I support 
this recommendation is that there is not the slightest evidence 
that any risks are involved in such experiments , whereas the 
benefits derived from cloning segments of eukaryotic DNA are 
enormous . It thus boils down to a simple cost-benefit analysis. 
Since the benefits are known to be enormous, while the risks are 
completely imaginary, it is clear that it would be to the advantage, 
health and well-being of the American people if such experiments 
were subjected to as few restrictions as possible. 
Sincerely yours. 
WV-A fylLuC. 
Dr. W. K. Joklik 
Chairman 
WKJ/ cw 
[ 610 ] 
Box 3020 • Durham, North Carolina 27710 • Telephone (919) 684-5138 
