University of Illinois at Urbana- Champaign 
Division of Environmontol Health and Safety 
333 
1109 So«ni liacota Av««u« 
UfboMO. IHtaei* 61901 
(7171 333-2753 
January 26, 1982 
Or. William J. Gartland, Jr. 
Director 
Office of Recombinant DNA Activities 
National Institutes of Health 
Building 31, Room 4A52 
Bethesda, Maryland 20205 
Dear Dr. Gartland: 
The Subconmlttee for Recombinant DNA Review of the University of 
Illinois at Urbana/Champaign (UIUC) endorses the proposed revisions to the 
NIH Recombinant DNA Guidelines published In the Federal Register dated 
December 4, 1981. The adoption of these revisions proposed by the RAC will. 
In effect, place recombinant DNA research In the same voluntary compliance 
status as that research which employs any etiologic agent. This action 
signifies that recombinant DNA research Is no more hazardous (barring the 
stated NIH prohibitions) than research with the original source organism 
from which the recombinant DNA has been obtained. The Subcommittee agrees 
that recombinant DNA research should be conducted under a voluntary code of 
standard practice. 
Reducing the recombinant DNA Guidelines from mandatory to voluntary 
compliance will not result in an end of UIUC surveillance of projects that 
pose any real or potential biological risk. UIUC monitored the use and 
disposal of biohazardous agents before the realization of recombinant DNA 
technology and the resultant mandatory NIH Recombinant DNA Guidelines. The 
adoption of this proposal will result in a reduction in paperwork, costs, and 
time needed to maintain regulatory con^liance, not in the reduction of biohazard 
surveillance. 
NSSrbw 
Chairperson, Subcommittee for 
Recombinant DNA Review 
[ 699 ] 
