2 . 
The expertise of many different people was utilized in the development 
of the original NIH Guidelines for Recombinant DNA Research. In developing 
revisions to these guidelines the Recombinant DNA Advisory Committee (RAC) 
consulted many additional experts and took into account the experience of 
many different laboratories involved in recombinant DNA research. While the 
scope of my experience does not match the collective expertise of the RAC, I 
do believe that my background qualifies me to evaluate certain aspects of 
the proposed revisions. This background includes a knowledge of microbial 
technique, a knowledge of recombinant DNA procedures and physical 
containment procedures, and a concern for the safety of my fellow workers 
and for the community at large. I have read and studied both the present 
Guidelines and the proposed revisions. I have also read about and listened 
to many agruments both for and against the proposed Guidelines and the 
proposed revisions. I have considered to the best of my ability the 
potential risks and the potential benefits which might come from recombinant 
DNA research. 
I believe that the proposed revisions to the NIH Guidelines for 
Recombinant DNA Research provide no substantial increase in risk to mankind 
or to his environment and that they do substantially facilitate worthwile 
research. Consequently, I urge the adoption of the proposed revisions. 
Specifically, I would like to speak in favor of the proposed reduction 
in containment level for research involving recombinant DNAs containing 
eucaryotic virus genomes. The arguments supporting the reduction in 
containment level for this area of recombinant DNA research are well 
presented in the report of the "Ascot" meeting held January 27-29, 1978. 
Certainly the prohibitions against cloning virus genomes which are contained 
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