UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 
School of Medicine- Box 441 
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VIRGINIA 22908 
DEPARTMENT OF MICROBIOLOGY 
January 2, 1980 
Dr. Donald S. Fredrickson, Director 
Building 1 
National Institutes of Health 
Bethesda, MD 20205 
Dear Dr. Fredrickson: 
I am writing to support adoption of the new Proposed Guidelines for 
"Research Involving Recombinant DNA Molecules" as proposed by the Recom- 
binant DNA Advisory Committee and published in the Federal Register, 
Vol . 44, No. 232, November 30, 1979. 
In particular, the time seems ripe to adopt the recommendation for 
downgrading containment facilities for experiments using Escherichia 
col i K-12 as host for non-transmissible vectors. It is abundantly evi- 
dent from a considerable body of data that the EK1 host-vector system 
at PI containment is perfectly safe and presents no appreciable hazard. 
Clearly, such procedures should not require an MUA for each new exper- 
imental situation; notification of the local Biohazards Committee is 
surely sufficient safeguard. 
Any delay in accepting the new guidelines will significantly inhibit 
extremely important research of incalculable benefit and of no foresee- 
able danger whatsoever to the public. Therefore, I strongly urge prompt 
adoption of the new guidelines in the interest of the public. 
Sincerely yours , 
RRW : 1 rp 
Robert R. Wagner, M.D. 
Professor and Chairman 
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