PRESS CONFERENCE ON DNA GUIDELINES 
June 23, 1976 
OPENING REMARKS 
By 
DONALD S. FREDRICKSON, M.D . 1 / 
Today, with the concurrence of the Secretary of Health, Education, and 
Welfare, and the Assistant Secretary for Health, I am issuing guidelines 
that will govern the conduct of NIH-supported research on recombinant DNA 
molecules. The NIH has also undertaken an environmental impact assessment 
of these guidelines for recombinant DNA research in accordance with 
the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. The purpose of this 
assessment will be to review the environmental effects, if any, of 
research that may be conducted under the guidelines. The assessment 
will provide further opportunity for all concerned to address the 
potential benefits and potential hazards of this important research 
activity. 
I expect a draft of the environmental impact statement to be completed 
by September 1 for comment by the scientific community, Federal and 
state agencies, and the general public. 
1 / Director, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 
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