51 
factors to reach a position of social responsibility. She percent at neVfc! 
to separate' those* de^afopifig <5he regulaticMs frbm those wiii> en- 
force the regulations; Farther, she does not feet that it is- proper to* 
individuate engaged in the research to be' a part of the group establish- 
ing the regulations to govern the research. Mrs. Taft believes that it 
is important for local communities to remain involved in the' regulation 
of on-going' research taking place in- their community. 
Dr. 'Wheeler 
Albert Wheeler, Mayor, City of Ann Arbor,; Michigan, was in art 
unusually unique position. Not only is Dr. Wheeler the' political leader 
in a community in which a large university is carrying out DNA, re- 
search, but Dr. Wheeler also is a member of the scientific faculty of 
the university. Thus, he had an opportunity to see both sides of the 
debate. Dr. Wheeler stated without equivocation that he believes that 
because there are more than just scientific issues involved, it is neces- 
sary to have a number of voices represented in the discussion of public 
policies relevant to scientific research. From its own examination of 
the DNA recombinant research issue, Dr. Wheeler indicated that the 
Ann Arbor City Council has determined that it indeed does have a 
social responsibility in this area. The activity between the City Council 
and the university research community has increased, and the advisa- 
bility of requiring the university to provide notification of on-going 
development is being explored. The net result of all the council's 
activities thus far has been similar to the efforts of the citizens' com- 
mittees in Cambridge and Princeton. With only minor recommendar 
tions for changes, usually administrative in nature, the council reached 
the conclusion that the research should continue with adherence to 
the NIH guidelines, establishment of biohazards committees and simi- 
lar provisions. Dr. Wheeler expressed the view that the local govern- 
ment’s prerogatives should not be usurped, either by the Federal or 
State government. He believes that citizen involvement in this issue 
thus far has resulted in a temporary state of “peaceful coexistence.’’ 
In order to prevent complete chaos by autonomous local controls, 
Dr. Wheeler suggested that more effective use of mechanisms for infor- 
mation exchange such as the Mayors Conference, the Governors Con- 
ference, the National League of Cities, Counties and Townships, and 
others could be used to secure Federal and State interchange of ideas 
■on science policy matters. 
Dr. Wheeler also indicated that there is a need for the local com- 
munities to have ready access to information concerning health and 
related issues when research problems are under consideration. He 
feels that ready access to such information is essential in order for 
both public officials as well as the general public to have an opportu- 
nity to examine the facts relevant to such' issues. It is necessary to 
have candid and understandable sources of information immediately 
available on both sides of_ any debate. Like the many other local 
examinations of the DNA issue, it was necessary for the Ann Arbor 
group to spend considerable time becoming educated before a politi- 
cally acceptable decision could be generated. It became obvious, as 
they talked to many of the same witnesses used by other communities, 
that much time and expense could have Been saved if a central source 
of basic data could have been made available. 
[Appendix B — 100] 
