THE AMERICAN COLLEGE OF OBSTETRICIANS AND GYNECOLOGISTS 
October 9, 1984 
William Gartland, M.D. 
Executive Director 
Recombinant DNA Advisory Committee 
National Institutes of Health 
Building 31, 3B10 
9000 Rockville Pike 
Bethesda, Maryland 20205 
Dear Dr. Gartland: 
I am responding on behalf of The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists 
for our President, Luella Klein, M.D. of Atlanta, Georgia and myself. We have 
reviewed the proposed amendment to the NIH guidelines for Recombinant DNA experi- 
mentation, as proposed by Jeremy Rif kin of the Foundation on Economic Trends. 
While the College does not have specific policy relating to such an issue, it has 
always been our general view that biomedical research should not be restricted for 
social or political reasons, with the proviso that appropriate protection of the 
human subjects and proper animal care standards are maintained. It appears that 
Recombinant DNA research has a number of exciting potentials for alleviating human 
disease, and we believe these approaches should not be proscribed. 
Thank you for your consideration. 
600 Maryland Avenue, S.W. , Washington, D.C. 20024-2588 
Warren H. Pearse, M.D., FACOG 
Executive Director 
/vas 
cc: Dr. Luella Klein 
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