CAMPBELL CUNIC ASSOCIATION, INC. 
525 mcCallie avenue 
Chattanooga. Tennessee 37402 
(615) 265-3141 
general surgery 
Guy M. Francis, M. d. 
JOSEPH J. DODDS, M. D. 
ADMINISTRATION 
ted P. Crowley, Administrator 
E. Howard Waddell, adm. asst. 
THAD C. DRENNAN, ADM. ASST. 
ORTHOPEDIC SURGERY 
Earl R. Campbell. Jr., m. d. 
ANESTHESIA 
Raymond s. Tenenbaum, m. d. 
GENERAL PRACTICE 
WALTER H. SMARTT, M.D. 
INTERNAL MEDICINE 
E. Wayne Gilley, m. d. 
Merrill F. Nelson, m. d. 
William c. Dowell, M. d. 
GYNECOLOGY 
Stanley j. Dressler, m, d. 
February 27, 1976 
Dr. DonaldS. Fredrickson 
Director, National Institutes of Health 
Building 1 , D . H . E . W . 
Bethesda, Maryland 20014 
Dear Dr. Fredrickson, 
It was indeed a pleasure to participate in the recent discussions concerning the 
Bio-Hazards of DNA Research. It is my opinion that the N.I.H. is to be commended for 
the forthright approach it has taken concerning such a controversial issue and also for 
the dissemination of such information in a non-sensational manner. In a like manner, 
the scientific community, as a whole, has been very responsible in its action to delay 
activity until appropriate regulations can be developed. 
In addition to the factors already reduced to writing in the proposed guidelines, 
I feel the following considerations must be addressed in any final set of regulations: 
(not necessarily in order of importance) 
1) The introduction to the regulations must contain a positive statement that the 
potential inherent benefits of genetic engineering outweigh the potential risks and for this 
reason experimentation in the field should continue. In addition, there should be wording 
to indicate a mood of caution, lest the scientific community becomes apathetic and abdicates 
its control effectiveness. This is what I consider to be a privilege/responsibility ratio and 
must be recognized by all who conduct hazardous research activity. 
2) The regulations must be explicit in definition and phrasiology. There must be 
a minimum latitude for individual interpretation. Words such as 'banned' must be carefully 
explained as to their meaning and all phrasiology must be mandatory as opposed to obligatory. 
3) The National Institutes of Health should immediately undertake multifaceted 
experiments to secure the necessary data to allow for ongoing responsible decisions 
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