22 
Dr. Gottesman said she was overwhelmed by the number of letters received in 
response to the Federal Register announcement of the proposed prohibition. 
Anyone who has attempted to obtain public response to any type of announce- 
ment knows how hard it is to obtain cements. Yet in addition to the 
approximately fifty letters from scientists who considered it important to 
wrrite both for their own research and for society's ability to treat human 
disease or deal with hunger, over 250 letters have been received from the 
general public. Dr. Gottesman said clearly a number of people in this 
country consider this type of research extremely important. 
Dr. Gottesman re contended that RAC not oily not pass the proposed amendment 
to the Guidelines, but she urged RAC to approve a motion indicating that 
RAC considers gene transfer experiments to be very important research 
which should be fostered. 
Dr. Lardy said the American people are entitled to an intelligent and 
rational discussion of the ethical issues raised by technological advances. 
Dr. Lardy felt, however, Mr. Rifkin had behaved irresponsibly in ignoring 
all that is known about genetics and evolution and had obfuscated the 
issues. 
Dr. Lardy said increasing the human lifespan has increased the world popula- 
tion. Technology for producing more food, more efficiently is necessary. 
Dr. Landy quoted from a letter from Dr. Charles Yanofsky of Stanford 
University: 
"Modem medicine has already done much to keep individuals with genetic 
defects alive to the child-bearing age and beyond. Since society and 
the medical profession welcome these efforts, we must not prohibit 
exploration of any possibility of correcting a serious genetic defect. " 
Dr. Lardy said many of the undesired consequences of animal breeding alluded 
to by Dr. Fox are a result of limitations in animal husbandry. Recombinant 
ENA technology may allow introduction of a particular desirable gene into an 
animal without introducing undesirable traits, and this is an argument in 
favor of continuing research in this area. 
Dr. Landy said he was impressed by the number and breadth of the letters 
the NIH received concerning Mr. Rifkin' a proposal . There are letters from 
high officers of academic and research institutions, not only in the 
sciences but also in the humanities and law; letters from individual 
scientists engaged in research and education, including many of recognized 
international stature; letters from private foundations dedicated to 
improvement of human welfare; letters from organizations and individuals 
concerned with animal husbandry and efficiency of food production; letters 
from medical practitioners and educators in health care delivery; and 
rather touching letters from individual citizens concerned about the 
future prospects for solutions to new intractable health problems. 
[154] 
