9 
be encouraged wherever appropriate. The addition of a ^procedural 
approach for the examination ox ethical values correlated with- scien- 
tific data should significantly improve the task of insuring public 
accountability discussions involving research issues. There may even 
be additional need at the Federal level for formalizing other institu- 
tional processes to foster such public sessions. 
The Subcommittee also concludes that the manner in which publio 
interest groups and private citizens, both scientific and non-scientific, 
have participated in policy decisions has improved since the first 
identification of a potential hazard in .recombinant DNA research by 
the scientists themselves. However, other options should continue to 
be evaluated not only to further improve the existing processes but 
also to use the new resources and , institutions which are becoming 
available for the study of such issues. The DNA recombinant mole- 
cule research issue is a valuable case history of the science-society 
conflict which has been evolving since the initiation, of the “consumer 
protection” and “environmentalist” movements in the 1960’s. The 
lessons available should be used to alleviate further acrimonious and 
unproductive debate and to construct an environment in which open, 
public examination prevents unnecessary anxiety, provides for an 
optimum freedom of inquiry, and protects the public health and the, 
environment. If these lessons require the modification of current proc- 
esses for obtaining public input and participation in public policy 
decisionmaking, then the affected Federal agencies are encouraged 
to make such adjustments. Wherever legislative initiatives are re- 
quired to foster this improved communication and coordination, the 
Federal agencies should make known the need for such changes. 
F. INTERNATIONAL CONSIDERATIONS 
In all deliberations regarding recombinant DNA research, the 
nature of its conduct and possible regulations thereof, American 
authorities must bear in mind that research in this area is going 
forward rapidly in other countries. During his appearance at the 
hearings, Dr. Donald Fredrickson, Director of the National Institutes 
of Health, emphasized that there is a need for substantial international 
cooperation in the development of any standards and guidelines 
which are to be applied to all areas of DNA recombinant molecule 
research. 
The Subcommittee agrees that the United States must communicate 
extensively with other Nations on these subjects. The United States 
should also be conscious of the fact that other Nations may look at 
our actions in this area as setting an example for their own. Never- 
theless we cannot expect other countries to copy whatever institutional 
mechanism is finally adopted by the United States to regulate this 
research: each country must choose that institutional mechanism 
which is most appropriate for itself. 
The international considerations which concern the Subcommittee 
involve not only the common issues of safety discussed earlier, but 
also issues relating to the United States position in world science. It 
has been noted that Federal preemption of State and local laws 
governing the conduct of recombinant DNA research is one of the 
most important and controversial issues in the recombinant DNA 
debate. However, the larger issue of, which this is a part involves the 
effects of differing regulations across national boundaries. 
[Appendix B — 60] 
