P. Harris, 12/28/79, page 2. 
pie-in-the-sky promises and the premature grasping at new technologies? 
Are we not committing the very same errors as we proceed to dominate 
our biological resources, to 'harness' DNA, with the new and seductive 
technologies of molecular genetics? 
The similarities to one who has followed these developments for four years 
are hauntingly similar. The effects are potentially more disasterous and 
permanent. 
Recent studies, including those of the National Academy of Sciences, (see 
Conservation of Germplasm Resources , 1978) report the disasterous plight 
of germplasm resources on this planet due to the errors of our society's 
agribusiness, industrial development and consumption. Why then, are we 
preparing to so fundamentally alter and redirect our genetic resources? 
Must every generation learn the errors of the pioneering mentality by first 
hand experience? Will we victimize not only the environment, but our- 
selves, our values and our ethics this time? 
Why can't the scientific and political leadership affirm that our priorities 
must be redirected toward genetic conservation, not exploitation, toward 
the prevention of genetic diseases, not high-tech manipulations to cure 
conditions which other technologies are creating, and toward the protection 
of the public and laboratory workers' health and safety? 
I am enclosing a copy of the PBC friend of the court brief recently filed 
with the U.S. Supreme Court which will soon hear the case where private 
corporations are asking for the right to patent the life forms created 
in their laboratories. The brief further catalogues the plight of our genetic 
resources and challenges the notion that genetic engineering is in the public 
interest. 
I respectfully voice my opposition to current proposals to relax the recom- 
binant DNA guidelines and to the current privileged treatment of corpora- 
tions by the DHEW. I further ask the Secretary to create a national forum 
where I and other citizens can record our opposition to our headlong rush 
into the genetic age. 
Enclosure: Amicus Curiae Brief of the Peoples Business Commission in 
Parker v. Bergy, et al. (U.S. Supreme Court #79-136). 
Co-director 
[ 616 ] 
