Thomas E* Malone 
Acting Director 
National Institutes of Health 
31 August 1981 
Page 2 
It only seems fair that the burden of proof that EDNA research 
will not harm people's health or violate the integrity of the natural 
environment should fall on the shoxilders of its practitioners and 
other supporters. It is they who have to earn the public's trust. 
The Baltimore and Campbell proposal which in effect says "trust 
us" is archaic in a world where the harmful sides of science and 
technology are all too visible. The public is rightly wary and 
should be respected for its concern. ^ 
In my view the proposal is a "thorough mistake", to borrow 
some apt words from Whitehead, especially when one observes the 
sometimes unseemly scramble for a piece of the action by univer- 
sities and gene-slicing companies , and researchers in conflicts of 
interests which are bound to undermine not only public confidence 
but also the conduct of science itself. 
These circumstances should dictate a move toward stricter 
standards and enforcement mechanisms^^hich extend to the genetic 
engineering industry. However, ijp^he Recombinant Advisory Committee 
accepts the proposal to replace mandatory guidelines with a code 
of standard practice, it is essential that the NIH lead a broad 
public discussion of this fundamental matter and that its decisions 
reflect the interests of all members of the society. By virtue of its 
present composition, the RAC's frame of reference remains too narrow 
to guide policy on RDNA research, 
I look forward to hearing from you. 
Sincerely 
Suite 1013 
1875 Connecticut Avenue, N.V, 
Washington, D.C, 20009 
[ 602 ] 
