Department of tkc Historv of Science 
niveraitv 
Science Center 235, C amiaricl^e, 02138 
617-495-3741 
June 8, 1982 
Dr. William Gartlcund, Jr., Director 
Office of Recombinant DNA Activities 
Building 31, Room 4A52 
National Institutes of Health 
Bethesda, Maryland 20205 
Dear Dr. Gartland: 
I have heard from Drs. Richard Goldstein and Richard Novick 
that they are submitting a brief amendment to the NIH guidelines 
which would add to the list of prohibited activities the construc- 
tion of biological weapons by molecular cloning. 
Having followed the developments of molecular biology in 
general and recombincint DNA wox3c in particular as a historian, 
I have been particularly sensitive to the manner in which guide- 
lines have been developed for recombinant DNA work. With many 
others I*ve watched carefully the interaction between self- 
generated restrictions and Imposed restrictions. I have been 
particularly concerned with the manner in which the science 
society interface has been heindled and the means throu^ which 
the scientific community has accepted responsibilities for the 
nature of its work. To see an important new area of science be 
developed for its military — indeed--disease and death-inflicting 
potentials would seem to me to be a particularly damaging step. 
One way of raising recognition of the dangers involved and 
indicating truly responsible, scientific and humane response would 
be to adopt for the guidelines the prohibitions against using this 
new field of molecular biology for biological warfare. 
Thank you very much for your kind attention in this matter. 
Professor of the History 
of Science 
EM/rk 
[ 787 ] 
