THE WISTAR INSTITUTE 
THIRTY- SIXTH STREET AT SPRUCE 
PHILADELPHIA, PA. 19104 
HILARY KOPROWSKI. M.D. 
Phone: (215) S87-6700 
CABLE ADDRESS: WISTARINST 
27 December 1979 
Dr. Donald Frederickson 
Director 
National Institutes of Health 
Bethesda, MARYLAND 20205 
Dear Dr. Frederickson, 
I understand that your office is presently considering revised guidelines 
regarding the use of E.col i K12 host vector systems in recombinant DNA experi- 
ments. In my view, the distinction of non-eukaryotic and eukaryotic protein 
insertion is unnecessary in requirements for Institutional Biosafety Committee 
(IBC) approval, as there is no evidence of increased danger in the eukaryotic 
DNA sequences. Thus registration of experiments with the IBC should be suf- 
ficient for eukaryotic cellular work as well. I present these views as an indi- 
vidual who has not participated and has no plans to participate in recombinant 
DNA type research, but has served as Chairman of the Wistar Institute Biosafety 
Committee processing approximately 15-20 Memoranda of Understanding. 
The importance of appropriate Biosafety considerations is of great concern. 
However, efforts should be directed towards maximizing investigative time in the 
pursuit of research and minimizing time spent on justification of experiments. 
The present system of Institutional Biohazard Committees seems quite adequate to 
deal with dangers imposed by recombinant DNA research. The danger of E . col i K12 
i s minimal . 
Thank you for your interest. 
Sincerely yours , 
Theodore Pincus M.D 
Professor 
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