Interdisciplinary Doctoral Program in 
Molecular and Cellular Biology 
Irvine Hall 
Athens, Ohio 45701-2979 
614/594-5816 
Ohio 
University 
October 1 , 1 984 
Director 
Office of Recombinant DNA Activities 
Building 31, Room 3B10 
National Institutes of Health 
Bethesda, MD 20205 
Dear Director: 
Recently a proposal has been made to the RAC which, if included in the 
guidelines for recombinant genetic research, would end all gene transfer 
experimentation in mammalian species. The proposal has been made by Mr. 
Rifkin specifically to stop experiments which involve the transfer of human 
genes into the germline of laboratory or livestock species, but the language 
in this most unorthodox and unscientific proposal specifically forbids the 
transfer of any genes between any species which do not naturally interbreed. 
I wish to take issue with both the spirit and the supposed substance of 
this frightening proposal. Prior to listing the dangers and tragic results 
of the acceptance of this proposal, I wish to point out that even Mr. Rifkin 
has not suggested that gene transfer in mammalian species is in any way 
dangerous to human health or to the environment. His "concern" is 
apparently for the genetic rights or the "integrity of the germline" of 
mammalian species. The issue he brings before the RAC is not one of 
national safety because gene transfer does not present any human health or 
environmental hazards (see below) and even the fertile mind of Mr. Rifkin 
cannot construe any real or imagined dangers from the scientific data. No! 
Mr. Rifkin’s proposal does not deal with concern for any imagined potential 
dangers, but with "moral or ethical" issues. In short, Mr. Rifkin’s 
personal "morality", based upon his uneducated and quite unsophisticated 
view of biological life, suggests to him that gene transfer between 
"unrelated" mammalian species is wrong and he, therefore, proposes to the 
RAC that these transfers be outlawed. Mr. Rifkin wishes to impose his 
personal morality, his quasi-religious beliefs about the "integrity of the 
germline", upon the NIH and all research scientists in this country. 
Although I would be one of the first to stand up to defend his right to his 
own beliefs and morality, I will not allow him to impose those beliefs upon 
me and would hope the RAC would not allow him to impose his unusual morality 
upon American science. 
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