DUKE UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER 
Department of Microbiology 
and Immunology 
Office of the Chairman 
April 14, 1981 
Dr. William Gartland 
Office of Recombinant DNA 
National Institute of General 
Medical Sciences 
Building 31, 4A52 
Bethesda, Maryland 20205 
Dear Dr. Gartland: 
I would like to support the proposal by Drs. Baltimore and Campbell to 
convert the NIH Guidelines for Recombinant DNA Research into a non-regulatory 
code of standard practices and to reduce the recommended containment levels for 
certain experiments. 
Action on both parts of the proposal is overdue. No evidence has come to 
light during the past decade that the types of experiments covered by it pose 
any danger for mankind, and adherence to the present strict guidelines serves no 
purpose. Similarly, reduction of recommended containment levels is also 
justified, again on the grounds that ample experience has shown that no danger 
is posed by any of the experiments involved. I agree that constant reevaluation 
is desireable and indeed essential, and whenever areas of concern are i>erceived, 
they should be regulated. By the same token, when experience has shown that 
there is no danger, steps should be taken to modify directives that impede 
innovative research that is likely to yield tremendous benefits for mankind. In 
summary, I strongly support Baltimore and Campbell's proposal. 
Sincerely yours. 
Dr. W. K. Joklik 
Chairman 
WRJ/kge 
cc: Dr. David Baltimore 
Box 3020 • Durham, North Carolina 27710 • Telephone (919) 684-SI 38 
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