'•fDUCAUO* 4 
Baylor College of Medicine 
DEPARTMENT OF CELL BIOLOGY • 713 791-4701 
December 29, 1979 
Dr. Donald S. Frederickson 
Director, National Institutes of Health 
Bethesda, Maryland 20205 
Dear Dr. Frederickson, 
This letter is written to express our support for the 
proposed changes to the Recombinant DNA Guideline revisions, 
published in the Federal Register, Nov. 30, 1979. 
Both the evaluation of possible risks expressed in the 
Environmental Impact Assessment, and the proposed revised NIH 
Guideline revisions, make a reasonable case for downgrading 
the selected E. coli K-12/P1 experiments to a lower level of 
physical containment , with registration and review by the IBC 
where necessary. 
We shall continue to support any such changes in recom- 
binant DNA guidelines, in the hope that a program of continuous 
reevaluation will allow the flexibility necessary for realizing 
the premise of this technology, yet realistically balance with 
the necessary risk assessment and public safeguards. 
Sincerely, 
EWO: jd 
[622] 
ST. LUKE'S EPISCOPAL HOSPITAL. 25TH FLOOR • TEXAS MEDICAL CENTER • HOUSTON, TEXAS 77030 
