5 
scientists cannot produce a risky organism, then it is 
reasonable that overly strict containment procedures might 
be relaxed. Thus the need for sound risk assessment. The 
Society feels that it would be an abrogation of public 
responsibility to deny the need for such an assessment. 
Two scientific groups in Europe have already conducted 
initial experiments in risk assessment involving polyoma 
virus. Tests employing mammalian cell cultures in laboratory 
glass vessels will soon be started, and studies in experi- 
mental animals will begin in a month or two. Meanwhile, any 
delay of the Ft. Detrick experienced will prevent efforts of 
American scientific leaders to produce the clear, unequi- 
vocal answers that all public spirited persons want and need 
regarding recombinant DNA research. 
RECOMBINANT DNA RESEARCH IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE NIH 
GUIDELINES, AND THE PROPOSED EXPERIMENT AT FT. DETRICK 
SPECIFICALLY, WILL NOT HAVE ADVERSE ENVIRONMENTAL 
OR PUBLIC HEALTH CONSEQUENCES 
The weight of scientific opinion now considers recom- 
binant DNA research conducted in accord with the NIH Guide- 
lines to have no adverse environmental or public health 
consequences. Recent conferences reported in the scientific 
literature and public media reflect the very broad scientific 
opinion that such research with JE._ coli , K12, and its 
derivatives is safe and has no environmental impact. 2/ 
Indeed, the Society and other scientific organizations have 
taken the position, based upon objective work by groups such 
as the Society's DNA task force, that the present NIH Guide- 
lines are more conservative than necessary and that certain 
restrictions in the Guidelines could be safely modified. 
2/ The specific derivative of K12 to be used at Ft. Detrick 
Ts designated Chi 1776. 
[Appendix C — 147] 
