Dr. A. Karim Ahmed 
October 28, 1976 
Page 2 
hazards that might arise in the conduct of such research. The Guidelines 
do not address vhat I perceive as the larger, potential ecological and 
evolutionary hazards implicit in this research. ■ Nor do the Guidelines 
address the potential significance of the availability of this new technology 
developed by scientists to solve their ovn scientific problems - to other 
diverse sectors of our society, which may wish to use it for their ovn ends. 
I believe the Guidelines do not provide sufficient recognition of the fact 
that we are here creating novel living organisms - unprecedented in the 
evolutionary order. As living organisms they are self-perpetuating and 
destined to their own individual evolution. I do not believe we can predict 
the properties of these organisms - created by the fusion of genes from 
disparate species - or their subsequent evolution, or their impact, present 
and future, on the existent biosphere. We do not know that there is a 
hazard here but neither do we know there is not. If such hazard exists or 
develops it will be in this instance uniquely irreversible. I believe a 
thoughtful .reformulation of the Guidelines to take these circumstances into 
account would be most appropriate. 
Sincerely yours. 
Robert L. Sinsheimer 
Chairman 
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