Attachment IV - Paqe 3 
fioae&r €. miTCHeu 
*IIO»Nt* AT caw 
April 5, 1985 
Dr. Bernadine Healy Bulklcy 
Paqe Three 
appropriate office to assume these responsibilities. We wish 
to underscore the importance of having any such change in 
structure be permanent in nature so that the duties and/or 
responsibilities cannot, at a later date, be "delegated to NI H 
w ithout its consent. 
The above recommendations and the comments attached hereto are 
the result of a one-day meeting of the Working Group consisting 
of 10 members of RAC. Senior members were called upon to provide 
their extensive experience. Two members had formerly been 
members of RAC, and their experience dates back to 1976. The 
members of the Working Group represent 40 person-years of experi- 
ence in dealing with DNA problems. It is doubtful that few 
organizations can call upon such expertise. 
Attached hereto are observations and comments of the members of 
the Working Group, which may serve to explain the basis of our 
recommendations. Also set forth are concerns raised by the 
members in reviewing the proposals. Suggestions for clarifica- 
tion are made for your consideration, if the proposals as 
published are adopted. The Working Group has also made comments 
upon the issue of structure which is set forth in the last attached 
part. 
Underlying all matters pertaining to biotechnology research and 
commercial application is the need to hold and retain the trust 
and confidence of the general public. This concern was recently 
underscored by the comments of government and industry leaders 
at a recent symposium held by the National Academy of Sciences. 
This need will continue when advances in technology involve new 
clinical applications for humans as well as novel modification 
of plants and animals. 
The science of molecular biology has everything to gain by 
encouraging broad public discussion and review. It is critical 
that any new mechanism retain this concept. 
We appreciate the opportunity to participate in commenting upon 
the proposals of the Cabinet Council Working Group. If RAC, or 
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