b 
Tie Secretary of Health. Education, and Welfare. Joseph A. 
Califano. Jr., stated that until additional necessary information on the 
nature of the risks posed by recombinant DXA research becomes 
available, the best course is to allow recombinant DXA research to go 
forward, but only under strict conditions to assure safety. Most of 
:he witnesses shared Secretary Califano's view of the need for safety 
precautions. The Secretary also testified the challenge would be to 
maximize potential benefits while minimizing potential risks. He also 
supported the concept that states and local communities be allowed 
to impose more stringent safety standards than those required by the 
Federal Government. 
Other witnesses, disagreeing with the Secretary, thotight a more 
cautions approach, one which involved a more complete assessment 
of risks prior to continuing the research, would be appropriate. Repre- 
sentatives of the Peoples Business Commission and the Friends of the 
Earth both stated that an immediate moratorium on all recombinant 
DXA research should i - imposed until the public had an opportunity 
to study and assess the situation. 
Hr. Halsted R. Holman of the Stanford Medical School expressed 
the view that less hazardous alternative techniques exist to accom- 
plish the same o: jectives in many instances. He suggested these be 
explored. 
Dr. Xorton D. Zinder of Rockefeller Tniversity stressed the need 
for flexible regulation in order to adjust the guidelines to the ever- 
hanging scientific data base. He stated his belief that current XIH 
guidelines would be acceptable to the majority of the nation's 
seientists. 
All witnesses agreed on the desirability of some public partici- 
pation in decisionmaking on recombinant DXA activities. The degree 
of appropriate public involvement was an area of disagreement. Basic 
doubts were expressed concerning the capability of citizens to make 
decisions based upon potential risks and benefits associated with such 
advanced research. Governor Byrne of Xew Jersey advocated that 
the Federal Government have the authority to permit state and local 
c omm unities to impose stricter regulations than the Federal regula- 
tions under certain circumstances. In statins: his views. Governor 
DvKakis of Massachusetts summed np his feelings by saying that it 
would bo unwise for the Federai Government to say. ”We will pro- 
tect you this far. You may not protect yourself further." Daniel 
Hayes. Jr.. Chairman of the Cambridge Experimentation Review 
Boar d, reco mm ended that no P-4 level of research, as defined by the 
XIH guidelines ( be allowed in a locality without the approval of the 
local governing body. 
Witnesses representing industry and academic research scientists 
stated that a uniform national set of regulations would be important in 
order to protect scientific research from arbitrary and capricious ruling 
of local communities. Dr. Xorton Zinder stated that multiple laws 
at state, city and neighborhood levels would only lead to confusion 
and. ultimatelv. to inadvertent violations along with the unnecessary 
obstruction of the ongoing process of basic research. 
[ 748 ] 
