Uhtod States 
Department of 
Agriculture 
Agricultural 
Reaeerch 
Service 
North Cerrtral Region 
Northern Regiorul 
Research Canter 
1815 North University Street 
Peoria, Illinois 
61604 
January 27, 1982 
Director, Office of 
Reconbioant DNA Activlclea 
National Institutes of Health 
Building 31, Rooe 4A32 
Bethesda, MD 20205 
Dear Sir: 
Concerning the proposed revision of the NIH Guidelines on Recombinant DNA 
Research appearing In the December 4, 1981, Federal Register and the subse- 
quent proposal published on December 7, 1981, the Northern Regional Research 
Center would prefer to have the Gottesman Proposal adopted in preference to 
the full RAC Committee proposal. 
In the opinion of the Recombinant DNA research group at the Center and other 
Interested Individuals, the Guidelines function as a guide for good laboratory 
practices and act as a restraint, even on those who are not presently bound 
by the Guidelines. In our opinion, a relaxation of the Guidelines Is necessary 
to promote and maintain Interest and to advance knowledge In the field. We 
believe, however, this would best be achieved over a period of time, by degree, 
which Is what we feel the Gottesman Proposal attempts to do. 
Sincerely 
V. L. DAVISON 
Safety Manager 
[705) 
