Joseph ^P. Kennedy, Jr. JFi ouqdation 
1701 K STREET, NORTHWEST, SUITE 205 
WASHINGTON, D. C. 20006 
(202) 331-7737 
September 14, 1984 
Dr. William Gartland 
Executive Secretary 
Recombinant DNA Advisory Committee 
National Institutes of Health 
Building 31, Room 3B10 
9000 Rockville Pike 
Be the sd a, MD 20205 
Dear Dr. Gartland: 
As a scientist, clinician and parent with deep concern 
for the well being of our children, I am horrified by the 
proposed amendment to the National Institutes of Health 
Guidelines for recombinant DNA experimentation which Mr. 
Jeremy Rifkin, the Foundation on Economic Trends, has 
suggested. I visualize no surer way to prevent the 
application of modern molecular biology to the cure and/or 
prevention of genetic disorders, including many cases of 
mental retardation, than by adapting such a prohibition on 
transfer of genetic material from man to lower animals. 
To my mind such tranfers will make possible animal 
models for human disease which cannot be attacked directly 
because of serious and appropriate ethical limitations on 
research involving children, fetuses and eventually 
handicapped individuals. 
Contrary to the proposal of Mr. Rifkin, the National 
Institutes of Health should encourage intensively such 
experimentation since so many of our serious clinical 
problems remain years away from solution. 
Robert E. Cooke, M.D. 
Chairman 
Scientific Advisory Board 
Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr. 
Foundation 
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