The University of Alabama in Birmingham 
Department of Microbiology 
December 27, 1979 
Dr. Donald S. Fredrickson 
Di rector 
National Institutes of Health 
Bethesda, Maryland 20006 
Dear Don: 
I'm less than totally convinced by the information in the November 30, 1979 
Federal Register that it is prudent to allow cloning of all DNA at the PI + 
EK1 level except where prohibited. I also find it inconsistent to prohibit 
"deliberate formation of recombinant DNAs containing genes for the biosynthesis 
of toxins potent for vertebrates" while permitting shotgun cloning of DNA from 
Clostridium botulinum , Corynebacterium diptheriae or any other class II pro- 
karyotic hosts under PI + EK1 containment when the goal is not to recover clones 
with genes for toxins. I should note that genes from class II bacterial etiologic 
agents are faithfully expressed in E_. coli even though the hosts from which the 
DNA is isolated are unable to normally exchange genetic information with E. col i . 
Sincerely yours , 
RCIII/pp 
University Station / Birmingham, Alabama 35294 
An Affirmative Action / Equal Opportunity Employer 
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