Congress of tfje Hmteb States 
j§o use of &epre£entattoeS 
(GSatftjfngfam, Ji.C. 20515 
May 24, 1984 
Hon. George A. Keywor+h, I I 
Science Advisor to the President 
Office of Science and Technology Policy 
Executive Office Building 
Washington, D.C. 20506 
Dear Dr. Key worth: 
We are writing to you In your capacity as Chairman of the Cabinet Council 
Working Group on Biotechnology to request a copy of the work group’s charter 
and a time table for Its del Iterations. 
We have been concerned for some time about the need to develop a suitable 
regulatory path for the products of biotechnology. We believe that existing 
legislation Is probably adequate to provide for appropriate federal review of 
both research and commercialization of biotechnology. What we believe Is 
necessary, however. Is for the Executive Office to create a mechanism to 
quickly sort out any potentially conflicting Jurisdictional Issues concerning 
the regulation of biotechnology and to set In place a road map which would 
guide Industry and assure the public that there will be appropriate review of 
any health, environmental, and safety questions. Additionally, there needs to 
be some mechanism to ensure the best use of the limited federal expertise In 
biotechnology. 
We believe that the establishment of the Working Group could be a constructive 
step toward these goals. We are concerned that the group will not move quick- 
ly, and there are Indications that this may have already resulted In delay In 
resolution of some of these Issues. The substantial groundwork that began at 
EPA, shortly after EPA asserted Its Jurisdiction unaer the Toxic Substances 
Control Act In testimony (with 0MB clearance) before two Subcommittees of the 
Committee on Science and Technology last June, appears to have slowed down 
cons I derab I y. 
The need for rapid clarification of the regulatory picture Is documented In the 
recently released Office of Technology Assessment Report, entitled, ’’Commercial 
Biotechnology: An International Analysis,” and reinforced last week by Judge 
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