LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL 
Hon. Howard Caxxox, 
Chairman , Committee on Commerce. Science , and Transportation , 
Z7.N. Senate \ Washington, D.C. 
Dear Mr. Chatrmax : I am submitting herewith an oversight report 
by the Subcommittee on Science, Technology, and Space on the regula- 
tion of recombinant DNA research and its applications, together with 
the minority views of Senator Harrison Schmitt, ranking minority 
member. The subcommittee's findings and recommendations for the 
regulation of recombinant DNA activities are based in the first in- 
stance on its hearings on November 2, 8, and 10. 1977. During these 
hearings 27 witnesses discussed the benefits and possible risks of re- 
search using recombinant DNA techniques, issues of scientific free- 
dom and responsibility, the administration of the National Institutes 
of Health research guidelines, and the need to extend these controls 
to privately sponsored research projects. 
The report is also the first systematic effort to examine the issues 
that are likely to arise in the regulation of future large-scale commer- 
cial applications of reombinant DNA techniques. Following the sub- 
committee’s hearings, opinions were requested of the relevant Federal 
regulatory agencies, the Congressional Research Service, and several 
of the witnesses. Analysis of these views and recommendations are in- 
cluded in part II of this report; related documents are found in the 
appendix. 
The subcommittee is grateful for the assistance of Dr. James M. 
McCullough, Senior Specialist in Life Sciences, and Donna C. Par- 
ratt, Legislative Attorney, both of the Congressional Research Service, 
and to Dr. Bernard Talbot, Office of the Director, National Institutes 
of Health, who reviewed the technical material in the report. 
Sincerely, 
Adlai E. Stevexsox, 
Chairman, 
Subcommittee on Science , Technology, and Space. 
(hi) 
[Appendix B — 255] 
