Washtenaw County Democratic Party- 
Resolution on Saf eguards lor Recombinant DNA Research 
The Washtenaw County Democratic Party is concerned that recombi- 
nant DNA research be regulated adequately to protect people and 
the environment from its potential dangers. 
In particular, the Party recommends that the research be restricted 
by law to a limited pumber of facilities equipped to prevent the 
escape of organisms containing recombinant DNA, until lesser restric 
tions can; 'be justified with sufficient reliable data on the magni- 
tudes. of the risks of the research and with the development of 
adequate safeguards based on such data. 
Adopted May 20, 1976 
STATEME NT - O N R E COMBINA N T DNA RESEARCH 
Recombinant DNA research involves producing new organisms 
through combination of genetic material from organisms that do 
not normally interact genetically. 
The research may lead to improvements in human health and 
welfare, but it entails risks of serious, possibly irreversible 
damage to people and the biosphere. Benefits foreseen from the 
research include extended knowledge of the organization and 
control mechanisms of genes, treatments and cures for diseases 
involving genetic malfunctions, improvements in agricultural 
productivity", new ^methods of pollution control, and methods to 
produce abundantly drugs that are now scarce. Dangers include 
release of new disease-causing or toxin-producing microorganisms, 
release of more virulent or antibiotic-resistant strains of 
disease-causing microorganisms already known, introduction 
into the biosphere of new organisms that upset ecological balances, 
development of new biological weapons for use in war and by 
terrorists, and misuse of abilities that may be developed to 
do human genetic engineering. 
The dangers posed by recombinant DNA research require that 
it be done only with precautions adequate to safeguard people and 
the environment. The people of Washtenaw County are particularly 
concerned ’ that there be such precautions. Already there are at 
least three institutions in the County at which recombinant DNA 
research could be carried out t the University of Michigan, Eastern 
Michigan University and Parke-Davis Research Laboratories. Elsewhere 
in Michigan there are several more institutions with capability to 
do the resaerch. Recombinant DNA techniques are likely to become 
more widely known, easier to use and less expensive very rapidlyi 
consequently the number of institutions at which they may be used 
will quickly. increase. Appropriate legislation and regulations are 
needed now to protect the public from the possible deleterious 
consequences of recombinant DNA research. 
When the research first became possible in 1972, scientists 
involved recognized its hazards. Their concern led them to impose 
a voluntary ban, that has been generally followed, on, the forms of 
the researcli considered by them to be most hazardous. It also 
led to establishment of the Recombinant DNA Molecule Advisory 
Committee under the auspices of the National. Institutes of Health 
(N1H). The Nil! funds much of the genetic research done at non- 
profit organizations in the United States. The charge of the 
committee is to recommend to the NII1 Director guidelines to govern 
the safe conduct of recominant DNA research funded by the NIH. 
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