209 
civilized person would argue, for example, that researchers should be per- 
mitted to feed potentially potent carcinogens to human beings, even though 
this would be much more efficient and a definite way to measure their effects 
than through the use of animals. With all of the progress that has been made, 
we are still at the dawn of a new and complex technology. The risks are great 
because the uncertainties are great. We are aware that potential benefits in 
such areas as medicine and agriculture are to be awaited with eager antici- 
pation, but we also fear that the potential for harm is, at this stage, 
equally large. We do not fear the unexpected, but we cannot ignore it. After 
all, chance favors the prepared mind. 
From the discovery of penicillin to the development of polymers of tetra- 
f luore thy lene , progress has been made by exploiting unexpected developments. 
The same will undoubtedly be true for recombinant DNA research, and indeed 
shotgun experiments in a sense institutionalize this approach. 
We now need more than voluntary guidelines. We need regulations with 
penalties to provide incentive for close adherence. We need them because, 
quite simply, we don't live in a perfect world. And just as clearly, with 
all due respect, the people who are the primary sponsors of the research 
should not be called upon to write and police the regulations. The time 
has come for the primary responsibilities to shift to the Occupational 
Safety and Health Administration, and that agency should regulate uniformly 
recombinant DNA research activities in industrial, government, and university 
laboratories . 
I would like to conclude by saying that I believe that the NIH and the 
members of this Committee have done a great service in the thorough review of 
the subject that has been made, and in tackling some highly complex areas in 
such a way that some order has been achieved. Your continued interest and 
advice would be most valuable. But we are at a stage now when the issues are 
as much social as technical. Decisions must be made in the open and must 
involve all segments of society, and the rules must apply uniformly because 
ultimately the risks are shared by all. 
Thank you. 
DR. FREDRICKSON: Thank you, Dr. Chamot. 
Are there questions or comments? 
Dr. Ahmed. 
DR. AHMED: I would like to ask both Mr. Samuels and Dr. Chamot to 
clarify what they mean by OSHA having the primary responsibility. Are you 
saying in effect that HEW or NIH does not have any regulatory role in any 
new Federal legislation? 
[413] 
