Dr. Donald S. Fredrickson 
Page 2 
October 26, 1976 
concerned that the government continue its policy of providing 
an effective incentive to the conduct of research. We believe this 
can best be accomplished by continuation of the policy of assigning 
ovmership of inventions made in the performance of government 
research to those institutions demonstrating appropriate technology 
transfer capabilities. 
In this regard, we do not believe that the area of recombinant DNA 
research should be treated differently than other research. Any 
potential safety problems can and should be resolved within the 
frame-work for the commercialization of government-funded inventions. 
You will be interested to know that the I.R.I. Board of Directors 
reviewed these matters at its meeting last week and requested our 
Federal Science & Technology Committee to serve as the focal point 
for future I.R.I. interaction with NIH. 
We trust that these comments and the action of our Board will be 
helpful. We would particularly appreciate an opportunity to discuss 
with you some possible solutions to the problem of confidential 
review referred to above. I shall be in touch soon so that we may 
make appropriate arrangements. 
Cordially yours,") 
Charles F. Larson 
Executive Director 
CFL :bf 
[ 148 ] 
