NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION 
WASHINGTON. D.C. 20550 
OFFICE OF THE 
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR 
FOR ASTRONOMICAL. 
ATMOSPHERIC. EARTH. 
AND OCEAN SCIENCES 
October 16, 1978 
Dr. Donald S. Fredrickson 
Director 
National Institutes of Health 
Bethesda, MD 20014 
Dear Dr. Fredrickson: 
The National Science Foundation (NSF) has reviewed the Environmental 
Impact Assessment of the Proposed Revised Guidelines for Recombinant 
DNA Research, as published in the Federal Register on 28 July 1978. 
The following comments are offered on that section of the proposed 
guidelines contained on pages 33096 through 33178. 
The Environmental Impact Assessment appears to be a thorough and fully 
documented analysis reflecting that the revisions are designed to 
insure that recombinant DNA research will be conducted under standards 
of safety based on the latest scientific knowledge, and in a manner that 
provides maximum protection for the public and the environment. The 
document accurately describes the technical aspects of recombinant DNA 
research, its conjectural risks and benefits. For each section the current 
guidelines are analyzed and alternative proposals from public commentators 
are analyzed. The presentation is complete, objective, and thoroughly 
documented with references and appendices. 
The NSF concludes from the analysis that the implementation of the 
proposed revised guidelines will produce no significant environmental 
impact. 
Sincerely yours 
Deputy Assistant Director 
[A-428] 
