Dr. William Gartland 
Page 2 
January 5, 1981 
The worry about recombinant DNA-modified plants posing any kind of hazard 
(for example — becoming an extraordinarily successful weed, for producing 
toxins that will kill all insects that land on it or will kill all birds that 
eat the seed) seems to be unnecessary. 
A common response made by individuals who are upset about applications of 
the new technology is that we have not yet proven that there is absolutely no 
danger by growing recombinant DNA plants in the field. There is no way to be 
absolutely sure that no danger can exist in any technology — or, in fact, in 
anything that we do. However, dozens of plant scientists with USDA, 
university, or industrial affiliations, with %diom I have spoken, believe that 
the potential dangers that may appear from field-grown recombinant DNA plants 
are less than the dangers caused by the introduction, by standard breeding, of 
genes from tropical wild corn into today's midwestern corn — a common current 
breeding practice. Breeding involves random introduction of genes — 
recombinant DNA technology is quite selective. 
I hope that the opportunities for the consumer, the farmer, and the 
agricultural industry will not be stifled by rules which the experts deem to 
be unnecessary. 
Sincerely yours. 
Winston J/^rill 
Vilas Research Professor of Bacteriology 
Director of Research, Cetus Madison 
Member, Recombinant DNA Advisory Committee 
WJB:is 
cc: Congressman Don Fuqua 
Congressman Doug Walgren 
Congressman Albert Gore 
[561] 
