134 
DR. KOSHLAND: I just want to say that I think at the moment, as an 
outsider to this area, that there are data that there is a possibiity of 
a risk, and there are data that there is a possibility of benefit, but I 
don't think there are data to indicate the nature of the risk. We just 
don't know. There is no way of assessing it right at this moment in any 
way but a guessing game, and it seems to me, anyway, from all that has 
happened today, that I would be very interested in seeing the NIH or 
some other organization take on some of these risky experiments, perhaps 
at Fort Detrick under very careful conditions so that we have some data 
on which to make an assessment of risk. 
I would also hope that the guidelines remain that. That is, that 
they remain in some way a flexible-enough instrument so that they could 
be rapidly — well, not rapidly, but at least more easily, changed than 
if they were firm regulations and so forth. I think you are going to 
have to have that kind of response in these guidelines to be responsible 
in this area. 
MR. FREDRICKSON: Mr. Ladwig. 
MR. LADWIG: I think Dr. Wright has brought up an interesting point 
on the decision-making process, and I don't think this was said today. 
If you want to hold it until the end of today's meeting, that is fine 
with me, but I think there should be a point that, number one, this is 
an advisory committee here, this isn't a policy making committee. If 
I am to understand right, we are just advising you and you have the 
responsibility, Dr. Fredrickson, of making the decision on accepting 
these guidelines, correct? 
DR. FREDRICKSON: That is correct, Mr. Ladwig. 
MR. LADWIG: Perhaps what we need is a clarification at the end 
of today as to what the process is going to be from here on. In other 
words, when will you make the decision? Are you under any kind of a 
deadline because of some kind of a Nobel Prize deadline? 
(Laughter. ) 
DR. FREDRICKSON: I will address that issue tommorrow. 
MR. LADWIG: Okay. 
DR. FREDRICKSON: Now I think we had better move on. Thank you 
very much. Dr. Wright. 
Dr. Brown, I would like to amend my statement to you. If you would 
like to file your variorum edition of this for the record, we would be 
very pleased to have it. You referred to something you have. 
[ 275 ] 
