Alter net iveJy , if the lest country does not have rules, 
written acceptance by an appropriate government office of 
the host country is necessary in lieu of compliance with the 
NIH Guidelines. 
This sentence was not part of the original I-C provision and 
represents a significant weakening of the I-C provision. It is 
difficult to see any rationale which would support the NIH in now 
including such a backing away from the tenor and purposes of the 
remaining portion of I-C. Inasmuch as the purpose of I-C is to 
assure the adequate regulation of the most hazardous types of NIH 
funded research done abroad, this crippling of the previous 
provision is inappropriate. The new sentence is too vague and 
overly broad. It would allow for recombinant DNA deliberate 
releases by written acceptance of government offices without any 
protocols or rules in place. This is an open invitation to the 
entry of political and economic pressures in research decisions. 
Rules, guidelines and protocols by their nature reflect 
scientific consideration and review of research. An "acceptance 
by an appropriate government office" offers no such assurances 
and has no part in an attempt to apply NIH Guidelines responsibly 
to hazardous NIH research done abroad. 
Sincerely yours 
Suite Two x 
1765 P Street, N.W. 
Washington, D.C. 20036 
(202) 387-1600 
Counsel for Foundation 
on Economic Trends 
Andrew C. Kimbrell 
Policy Director 
Foundation on Economic Trends 
Suite 630 
1130 17th Street, N.W. 
Washington, D.C. 20036 
(202) 466-2823 
Recombinant DNA Research, Volume 13 
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