Honorable Adlai Stevenson 
- 2 - 
November 7, 1977 
A repository for recombinant DMA organisms, much like those established 
for human cell lines, -is in fact being established under the auspices 
of NIH under the direction of Dr. Fred 8ergmann. Making every organism 
with unique genetic properties available for study'would be a tremendous 
boon to science -- and to industrial interests. Both could obtain them, 
subject to reasonable constraints under license, from a Federal com- 
mission. Such a commission could thereby insure that the conditions 
of use and responsible personnel were consonant with appropriate 
principles and guidelines (e.g., the NIH Guidelines for Conduct of 
Recombinant DHA Research). 
Pursuant to an Act of Congress, a broadly constituted Recombinant DilA 
Commission could be given the following charges: 
1. promulgate and review uniform rules and regulations for 
the conduct of recombinant DNA research; 
2. license and monitor all laboratories which conduct recom- 
binant DMA work involving de novo production of organisms; 
3. perform periodic reviews of the nature and necessity of 
safety precautions taken for various research modalities; 
4. direct appropriate monitoring and safety personnel to 
review the health of workers in licensed laboratories; 
5. establish and maintain appropriate regional centers or 
licensed laboratories to be repositories for banks of 
recombinant DMA organisms; 
6. establish fees and appropriate licensure requirements for 
laboratories which wish to use pre-existing organisms; and 
7. ensure ongoing and meaningful public access to the newly 
constructed organisms, records and deliberations of any 
commission established to deal with recombinant DMA 
research. 
A more detailed charge and construction of any legislative proposal would 
of course be needed. But, were Congress to act to place recombinant DNA 
organisms under federal control, with due allowance-- and encouragement--of 
scientific inquiry, many of the problems generated by too rapid exploita- 
tion of this invaluable resource could be avoided. 
Like nuclear and geothermal energy, organisms created through recombinant 
DNA technology are - an invaluable national resource, too precious to be 
usurped and- patented by private corporations or to become the sole 
property of individuals. Each organism embodies novel knowledge, and 
as such "belongs* 1 to the public. 
[Appendix A — 34] 
