167 Morris Avenue 
Athens, OH 45701 
October 12, 1984 
Director 
Office of Recombinant DNA Activities 
Building 31, Room 3B1 0 
National Institutes of Health 
Bethesda, MD 20205 
Dear Director: 
The September 20, 1984 Federal Register outlined 
Mr. Jeremy Rifkin’s proposed amendment to the National 
Institute of Health’s Guidelines for Research involving 
Recombinant DNA Molecules. 
Mr. Rifkin's proposal would, if adopted, discontinue any 
further genetic transfer experimentation with laboratory 
animals and would prohibit much needed research on cancer, 
genetic disorders, muscular distrophy, diabetes, sickle cell 
anemia, asthma, and other diseases. 
Two young children, very close to me, are suffering from 
Metachromatic Leukodystrophy — a rare genetic disease that is 
a terminal illness. It is my understanding that recombinant 
genetic research is currently the most viable possibility for 
cure or treatment for these two children and the thousands of 
other children and adults suffering from genetic diseases. 
I am saddened to think that all medical research 
relative to this disease would be delayed or prohibited. I 
strongly urge the committee not to adopt the proposed 
amendment and instead continue the funding for Recombinant 
DNA Activities Research. 
Sincerely 
Bonnie C. Vail 
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