In the United States, activities have been undertaken to address 
similar ethical concerns. In both House and Senate hearings on recombinant 
DNA research legislation, questions have been raised by Committee members 
regarding the long-range ethical implications of this research. Indeed, 
in both House and Senate bills, there are provisions calling for studies 
concerning the broad social, legal, and ethical aspects of this research. 
Further study of these aspects will undoubtedly be initiated by appropriate 
government agencies. 
Still other questions have been raised concerning the possible use of 
this research for biological warfare. With regard to this question, the 
use of recombinant DNA for such purposes is prohibited by the Biological 
Weapons Convention. In a statement to the conference of the Committee of 
Disarmament on August 17, 1976, Ambassador Joseph Martin, Jr., confirmed 
the U.S. interpretation of the convention to prohibit this research for 
purposes of biological warfare. (See Appendix VII for Ambassador Martin's 
discussion. ) 
It is noteworthy that prior to this statement, Dr. David Baltimore 
had requested an opinion from James L. Malone, General Counsel of the U.S. 
Arms Control and Disarmament Agency, on whether the Biological Weapons 
Convention prohibits production of recombinant DNA molecules for purposes 
of constructing biological weapons. On July 3, 1975, Mr. Malone replied: 
"In our opinion the answer is in the affirmative. The use of recombinant 
DNA molecules for such purposes clearly falls within the scope of the 
convention's provisions." 
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