new yoitk public interest researcIi qnoup, inc. 
1479 Flatbush Ave. • Brooklyn, N Y. 11210 • (212) 338-5906 
Other Offices: ALBANY, BINGHAMTON, BUFFALO, MANHATTAN, QUEENS. SYRACUSE 
Hay 5, 1976 
Dr. Donald Fredrickson 
Director 
National Institutes of Health 
Bethesda, ITD 20014 
Dear Dr. Fredrickson: 
I have been following very closely the development of 
recombinant DNA research guidelines by the Recombinant DNA 
Molecule Program Advisory Committee. 
At the present time, I believe the committee has failed 
to fulfill its proper function by neglecting to file an 
environmental impact statement in accordance with the National 
Environmental Policies Act of 1969. The filing of the impact 
statement will allow a greater number of interested groups 
and individual citizens to comment on the problems inherent 
in recombinant DNA research. 
Another issue that needs to be addressed is the problem of 
determining legal liability for accidents resulting from 
recombinant DNA research. A system to monitor the research 
has to be developed so as to guard against accidents and to 
insure that the research universities and grantor agencies 
are taking the necessary safety precautions. Only through 
careful monitoring can fault be determined if an accident does 
occur. 
I trust that the committee will continue to explore methods 
of insuring safe experimentation and that alternative experimental 
procedures to those presently used will be recommended until 
biological containment is feasible. 
Yours truly. 
Eric Cohen 
Research Director 
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