THE JOHNS HOPKINS HOSPITAL 
BALTIMORE. MARYLAND 21205 
October 10, 1984 
Bernard Talbot, M.D., Ph.D. 
Acting Director 
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases 
National Institutes of Health 
Bethesda, Maryland 20205 
Dear Sir: 
I am responding to the proposed prohibition of certain recombinant DNA 
experiments that has been advanced by Mr. Jeremy Rifkin ( Federal Reg ister 
49 , 37016 (1984)). Mr. Rifkin's stated goal "is to protect the biological 
integrity of every mammalian species and to prevent a fundamental assault 
on the principle of species integrity and . . . the right of every species 
to exist as a separate identifiable creature." These are admirable, but 
utopian goals that ignore the history of mankind's interactions with 
domesticated mammalian species. 
The selective breeding of animals directed to amplifying or 
eliminating certain traits has been a human activity since the first mammal 
was domesticated during prehistoric times. This selection for specific 
traits (mutated genes) has irreversibly modified the gene pools of 
innumerable species for man's economic gain and whim. Would Mr. Rifkin 
condemn and prohibit further selective breeding which is aimed at 
increasing the productivity and usefulness of domesticated species? 
Current bioengineering technology stands at the threshold of being able to 
selectively modify one gene at a time and thereby reduce dependence on 
selective breeding for altering certain traits. The selection introduction 
of foreign genes into germ lines is thus a logical extension of animal 
husbandry and not an attack on "the biological integrity of every animal 
species." 
The all-inclusive prohibition proposed by Mr. Rifkin represents an 
unwarranted restriction of genetic research. Furthermore, Human 
Experimentation Committes, which are now functioning at medical research 
institutions and which follow the current, broad NIH research guidelines, 
are the appropriate instruments for review of experiments that involve 
human germ cell modifications. 
Sincerely, 
Cornells Van Dop, M.D. , Ph.D 
jc 
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