Section of Biochemistry, Molecular and Cell Biology 
CORNELL UNIVERSITY 
N.Y.S. College of Agriculture and Life Sciences 
A Statutory College of the State University 
COLLEGE OF ARTS and SCIENCES 
WING HALL, ITHACA, NEW YORK 1495} 
Division of Biological Sciences 
December 31, 1979 
Dr. Donald Fredrickson 
Director of the N. I. H. 
Bethesda, Maryland 20205 
Dear Dr. Fredrickson: 
I am writing to support the ammendments to the recombinant DNA guide- 
lines which were published in the November 30 Federal Register p 69210- 
There is very strong data available which shows that E. coli K12 is 
unable to establish itself in mammalian organisms and is unable to transfer 
plasmids to other organisms in nature. Furthermore there is strong evidence 
that even in the laboratory under favorable conditions strains which carry 
plasmids with inserted DNA grow less well than strains which lack the 
inserts . 
The multiple assumptions which are required before recombinant DNA 
experiments could create a hazzard are so unplausible that it is not reason- 
able to hamper research with the current restrictions. All of the current 
research in molecular and cellular biology shows that cells devote an 
enormous amount of energy and genetic material to regulating the synthesis 
and activity of their gene products. I do not see how a new and dangerous 
organisms can be created by placing a foreign gene in an already weakened 
organisms since that gene will not be regulated in its new environment and 
will not have evolved to interact correctly with the other proteins in the 
The current regulations on recombinant DNA research not only directly 
hamper research; they also waste significant sums of limited research funds 
in a non-productive bureaucracy. These changes are a start towards reduc- 
ing these problems and I strong support them. 
69251 
cell 
Sincerely yours 
David B. Wilson, Associate Professor 
Biochemistry, Molecular and Cell Biology 
DBW/jb 
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