OFFICE OF THE PROVOST 
CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS 02139 
March 29, 1976 
Dr. Donald S. Fredrickson 
Director 
National Institutes of Health 
Public Health Service 
Department of Health, Education, and Welfare 
Bethesda, Maryland 20014 
Dear Don: 
Thank you for your kind and thoughtful letter of March 17. 
The meeting that you ran so convincingly- -both as a scientist and 
a responsive policy maker at the highest level of public service -- 
will always stay in my mind as a memorable event (even though I 
was sick during it). 
Allow me to add two comments: (1)1 regret that we did not 
have time to explore fairly fully the role of institutional committees- - 
given the almost ideological differences that exist between and even 
within institutions, there will be a need for effective and continued 
interaction at a national level. (2) The NIH Recombinant DNA 
Committee will obviously continue to monitor the evolving situation. 
It may however be worthwhile to consider whether the Director's 
Advisory Committee should not play a role related to the broader, 
non-technical issues that were raised at Asilomar, and at the 
February meeting. 
With warm personal regards. 
Cordially, 
Walter A. Rosenblith 
Provost 
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