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type of research may be expensive, and nay have some 
inhibiting effect on the progress of research. We were 
told, however, that DMA recombinant research was merely 
one tool for reaching these answers, and that there are 
other available tools for virtually every kind of research 
being conducted. 
We treat these hazards very much at our peril. 
I strongly urge HEW to act, to reduce their guidelines to 
regulations, and to the extent that the law permits, to 
extend that to the private sector. I would urge that you 
act under Section 361 of the Public Health Service Act. 
It may not be the perfect instrument, but at least it 
provides, I think, sufficient authority for your action. 
I do wish I could assure you that Congress 
would quickly provide you with more precise authority, 
but unf ortunately , I cannot. Even if we were to act 
early next year, and that is doubtful, it would take an 
additional year to prepare regulations. In ny opinion 
we can't afford to wait any longer. Imperfect as the 
world is, and as imperfect as Section 3(31 nay be, waiting 
is only going to make matters worse. And were there to 
be an outbreak of diseases caused by DMA recombinant 
research, and some new organism that escapes from a 
laboratory, then I think that the embarrassment to HEW, 
and the Congress as well, would be very great. The 
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i, 
