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Much of the public commentary directed to me on the proposed guidelines 
expressed concern that there should also be guidelines for recombinant 
DNA research not supported or conducted by NIH. There was general 
agreement that NIH should undertake to disseminate information on the 
guidelines as widely as possible to all who conduct or support such 
research. 
Quite clearly there is public concern for uniformity in the conduct of 
recombinant DNA research and for adherence by all to a uniform standard. 
Hence, I ask you to consider requesting investigators to include a 
description of the physical and biological containment procedures used 
in any such research they report in your publication. You will note 
that this recommendation is included in the guidelines on page 3. The 
recommendation comes from those in the scientific community who were 
instrumental in organizing the Asilomar meeting and calling on NIH to 
undertake the responsibility for developing these guidelines. It is 
also a recommendation of the NIH Recombinant DNA Advisory Committee that 
proposed the guidelines. I would very much appreciate hearing your 
views on this matter. Your support in this regard will be extremely 
helpful in assuring the public and others concerned that the scientific 
community recognizes its responsibility in this important research area. 
If you have any questions or comments on the guidelines or the issues 
raised in the decision paper, I would be pleased to respond to them. 
Thank you. 
Sincerely yours, 
/s/ 
Donald S. Fredrickson, M.D. 
Director 
Enclosures 
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