October 16, 1984 
Route #7, Box 487 
Athens, Ohio 45701 
Director 
Office of Recombinant DNA Activities 
Building 31, Room 3B10 
National Institute of Health 
Bethesda, Md. 20205 
It is imperative that the research now going on in 
Recombinant DNA not be stopped or delayed. As parents 
with two daughters afflicted with Metachromatic Leuk- 
odystrophy, we are only to aware of the possible conse- 
quences of any interruption in this work. 
The existence of the Recombinant DNA Advisory Com- 
mittee points to the fact that the National Institute of 
Health is responsibly overseeing the research in this field. 
To adopt Mr. Rifkin amendments would destroy Recombinant 
DNA research and with it the hope of treatment for our 
daughters and thousand of other patients and families of 
patients suffering from many currently untreatable dis- 
eases . 
We believe in this technology and have donated funds 
to provide a research technician in the lab of Dr. John 
O'Brian of the University of California at San Diego. 
This person is to assist Dr. O'Brian in the cloning of 
the Aryl Sulphatase A gene which does not properly fun- 
ction in MLD patients. 
We know we have a long road to travel, but feel we 
are headed in the right direction. Please continue this 
important work. 
Dear Director: 
Y prv brnl v vours . 
J. Michael Downard 
Christina L. Downard 
[ 531 ] 
