COMMENTS OF SENATOR ADLAI E. STEVENSON 
ON THE PROPOSED REVISED GUIDELINES FOR RECOMBINANT DNA RESEARCH 
1) Applicability 
The proposed guidelines would apply to "all recombinant DNA research 
within the United States or its territories conducted at or sponsored by 
an institution that receives any support for recombinant DNA research 
from NIH." This provision does not make maximum use of NIH's authority to 
condition the receipt of Federal monies and could create administrative 
difficulties. I suggest that the guidelines be extended to all recombinant 
DNA research conducted at or sponsored by an institution receiving any NIH 
funds, regardless of whether they are earmarked for recombinant DNA 
research. 
Dr. Fredrickson precisely states the rationale for this reconmendation 
in the "Decision of the Director": 
The existence of guidelines for recombinant DNA research 
assumes their general application. Partial adherence within 
an institution would defeat the purpose of extending maximum 
protection to the community. Thus, it would be inconsistent 
for NIH to provide funds for biomedical research activities 
to an institution that did not meet the standards of the 
guidelines in all of its recombinant DNA research, regardless 
of the source of funding. (Emphasis added.) 
According to an opinion of the American Law Division of the Congressional 
Research Service, it is highly unlikely that a court would overturn the 
broader condition, even on First Amendment grounds, so long as private 
funding is available for recombinant DNA experimentation and the application 
of the guidelines is relevant to the "overall objectives" of NIH funding. 
[A-419] 
