Attachment IV - Page 2 
Representative Albert Gore, Jr. -2- 
Harch 30, 1984 
We were reassured by the Giles and Vasil study, which credits the destruc- 
tion of seedlings by the fungus to premature inoculation rather than to 
genetic engineering. Nevertheless, we determined the present location of 
Giles and spoke with him by telephone to be certain our understanding of 
his work was correct. He expressed concern that his early studies were 
distorted by others and could recall no one except ourselves who took the 
time and trouble to search the literature and was familiar with his later 
report. 
Although Giles and we concur in the opinion that there is need for caution, 
it appears that his 1977 article with Whitehead should not be cited as 
reason to delay reasonable efforts to use advances in molecular genetics to 
solve societal problems and promote human well-being. 
The issue of environmental implications of genetic engineering is of great 
concern to microbiologists. We welcome this opportunity to be helpful and 
thank you for your consideration. 
Sincerely yours, 
David Pramer, Ph.D. 
Chairman, Committee on 
Environmental Microbiology, PSAB 
yiaAjAfrt d). jdajLuOUHn^. 
Harlyn 0. Halvorson, Ph.D. 
Chairman, Public and Scientific 
Affairs Board, ASM 
enclosure 
cc : 
Dr. Morris Levin 
Mr. Robert B. Nicholas 
Dr. James Wyngaarden 
[ 335 ] 
