University of 
Laboratory of Genetics 
College of Agricultural and 
509 Genetics Building 
445 Henry Mall 
Madison, LUisconsin 53706 
UJisconsin — Madison 
Life Sciences and the Medical School 
(608) 263-1993 
October 8, 1984 
Dr. William J. Gartland 
Executive Secretary, RAC 
National Institute of Allergy and 
Infectious Diseases 
National Institutes of Health 
Bethesda, MD 20205 
Dear Dr. Gartland: 
I have seen a copy of the two amendments to the NIH guidelines 
for recombinant DNA experimentation submitted by Jeremy Rifkin in his 
letters to Dr. Talbot dated August 21 and 23. 
Rifkin's record as a self-appointed censor of genetic research is 
well known. I am puzzled that a person with his record is taken as 
seriously as he is. I am annoyed that he takes up so much valuable 
time of the Advisory Committee. 
There are, of course, serious issues to be discussed, but 
Rifkin's blanket opposition to any and all gene transfer between 
mammalian species, if successful, would stop much of the most 
promising research in genetics — research that is almost certain to 
bring fundamental insights, useful practical applications, and great 
humanitarian benefits. 
His suggested statement that "the National Institutes of Health 
considers any such experimentation involving the transfer of genetic 
traits between animal and human germ lines to be morally and ethically 
unacceptable" would seem to imply that alleviation of human suffering 
is not morally or ethically acceptable. These are certainly not my 
morals and ethics. 
The last paragraph of his August 21 letter also argues for 
similar restrictions on non-mammalian species. This principle, if 
accepted, would immediately halt a great deal of Drosophila research. 
In fact, if "non-mammalian species" includes plants, protozoa, and 
bacteria, what can he mean? Does he propose to stop all research on 
recombinant DNA? Would he ban experiments on biological control of 
insects, as alternatives to chemical insecticides, if these involved 
the use of recombinant DNA? Does he object to such methods to study 
the malaria parasite? Would he oppose gene transfer experiments in 
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