Dr. William J. Gartland 
October 22, 1984 
page -2- 
In summation, we believe Mr. Rif kin's recommendations make little sense 
j in the context of present day human medical genetics. The transgenic 
system provides a unique means by which fundamental knowledge of human 
gene expression and regulation can be acquired. Such information will 
be invaluable in the future for the development of diagnostic tests and 
therapeutic regimens for a host of human disease conditions. The in- 
formation can also be expected to be crucial in the design of disease 
prevention strategies. The transgenic system also provides the best 
I means by which candidate genes for human genetic therapy can be adequ- 
! ately tested. It is also clear that these objectives can be realized 
! without any threat to the short or long term genetic constitution or 
function of species. 
Sincerely, 
David L. Rimoin, M.D., Ph.D. 
President, American Society of Human Genetics 
: 
Frank H. Ruddle, Ph.D., President-Elect 
Kenneth K. Kidd, Ph.D. 
C. Thomas Caskey, M.D. 
Larry J. Shapiro, M.D. 
DLR/dr 
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