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1 the techniques being discussed here, I would like to 
2 briefly comment on the proposed revised guidelines from 
3 three points of view: in my capacity as chairman of a 
4 department in which recombinant DNA research is ongoing; 
5 in my capacity as head of an institutional committee 
6 charged with evaluation of the need and feasibility 
7 for P 3 -level physical containment facility; and as a 
8 colleague and friend of many of the scientists involved 
g in the use of recombinant DNA techniques to study the 
10 structure and regulation of genetic activity. 
11 As chairman of a department containing faculty 
12 members interested in using recombinant DNA techniques, 
13 I have an obligation to foster conditions that will 
14 advance the careers of such faculty, but I also have a 
15 higher obligation to ensure the safety of all the personnel 
16 of my department from biohazards of all kinds. As it 
17 became evident that recombinant DNA techniques would be 
18 powerful experimental probes, we early on held open 
19 departmental meetings to discuss the pros and cons of 
20 the use of such techniques. 
21 After careful consideration of the original 
22 guidelines and conversations with trusted, knowledgeable 
23 colleagues in the field, I became convinced that the 
24 recombinant experiments being proposed by certain members 
25 of my faculty would be safe if carried out under the 
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