I do agree with one of Mr. Rifkin's aims. There is presently 
no reason to consider inserting foreign genes into the germ lines 
of humans. We need to gather a great deal more scientific evidence 
before we will know whether such procedures will ever be useful to 
alleviate or eliminate genetic disease. We need an enormous amount 
of experimentation to determine whether such procedures are even 
feasible. In the meanwhile, a variety of more effective or simplier 
alternatives for treating such diseases may emerge. There is plenty 
of time for wide societal discussion of all aspects of the possibil- 
ities. The report of the President’s Commission for the Study of 
Ethical Problems in Medicine and Biomedical and Behavioral Research 
represents the deeply considered views of an excellent group of 
independent citizens; a copy is attached and I request. that it be 
included in the file of comments on the proposal. Its serious 
approach provides a good starting place for public discussion. 
However, contrary to the proposal, the report's content suggests 
that we have no need to consider prohibitions, with all their 
negative consequences. The NIH Guidelines and the current regula- 
tions regarding human experimentation already provide strict 
safeguards against premature and ill-considered attempts at 
modifications of human germ lines. 
Sincerely, 
Maxine Singer 
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