October 5, 1984 
Director, Office of Recombinant DNA Activities 
Building 31, Room 3B10 
National Institutes of Health 
Bethesda, MD 20205 
Dear Director: 
This letter is in reference to a. proposal by Mr. Jeremy 
Rifkin regarding recombinant DNA research which appeared in 
the Federal Register Volume 40, Number 184, September 20, 
1984. 
I am aware of a family with two young children suffering 
from a rare genetic disease known as Metachromatic 
Leukodystrophy. My understanding is that this is a terminal 
illness, and that the greatest hope for a cure lies in 
recombinant genetic research which would be prohibited by 
the Rifkin proposal. On behalf of the children I know of 
who are suffering, their parents, and Other suffering 
children unknown to myself, I urge this office to strongly 
consider research toward a cure for this disease, as well as 
other important research, upon which Mr. Rifkin' s proposal 
would have a serious impact. 
Thank you for your consideration. 
Yours truly. 
SIMILAR LETTERS WERE ALSO RECEIVED FROM THE FOLLOWING INDIVIDUALS : 
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