Ray Thornton's Statement 
September 10-11, 1981 NIH-RAC Meeting 
I have a statement concerning our deliberations today. First, let me express 
my great confidence in Dick Krause, who has been delegated responsibility for 
receiving reconmendations fron this advisory conmittee. I have enjoyed many 
cpportunities of working with him, and knew his scientific and professional 
judgment will work to the benefit of the people affected by the actions of the 
National Institutes of Health. 
At the same time, however, there can be no adequate statement as to how much 
we will all miss the wise counsel and leadership of Don Fredrickson as we 
continue to wrestle with the interaction of science and society. Don has a 
great gift of expressing clearly, as only an outstanding scientist could, his 
understanding of the continuing relationship between public policy and science. 
Whenever either side of this relationship, the public or the scientific conmunity, 
invades the province of the other or disregards the proper input of the other 
into decision making, the result is at best high levels of tension and frustra- 
tion. At worst there may be attenpts to regulate thought, as in laws regarding 
vAiat theories may be taught; or just as bad, attempts to eliminate input from 
the public as to how scientific research should be conducted with public funds. 
May I ask your indulgence as I cite the first few paragraphs of the statement 
I made in opening hearings on DSIA research in Congress in 1977. This was at a 
time when legislation was being considered to prohibit or severely limit such 
research. 
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