TAB B 
October 1, 1976 
Dear (List of Addressees Attached) 
On September 22 the President sent you a memorandum concerning the 
formation of «n Interagency Comnittee to review Federal policy on the 
conduct of research involving the creation of new forms of life used 
in studying genetics [recombinant deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) 
experiments). On June 23 the National Institutes of Health (NIH) 
released guidelines that establish carefully controlled conditions 
for these experiments, in which foreign genes are inserted into 
microorvanisms , such as bacteria. The object of the guidelines is 
the containment of these possibly dangerous organisms while 
permitting research of great potential benefit to mankind. 
Tnc NIH guidelines prohibit certain types of experiments — those, for 
instance, that might produce disease germs with increased resistance 
to antibiotics. Other experiments will go forward under special 
safety conditions. The provisions will afford protection with a 
wide margin of safety to workers and the environment while permitting 
this valuable research to proceed. 
Of special concern to the private citizens who commented on the NIH 
guidelines was their extension beyond the NIH to the public and 
private sectors. Comparable guidelines for those sectors have been 
advocated in a considerable volume of correspondence directed to the 
NIH and to ny office during the past several months. There has been 
emphasis by public commentators on the need for uniformity in 
recombinant DNA research. 
In light of this public concern, I suggested to the President that a 
committee be formed to allow for a policy review of Federal activities 
in the conduct, support or regulation of this research area, including 
relevant private activities. As a follow-up to the memorandum from the 
President, I an requesting that you nominate appropriate representatives 
from your Department to serve on such a committee. In my view, this 
Interagency Committee will assist in facilitating compliance with a 
uniform set of guidelines for the public and possibly private sectors, 
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