Marcn 22, 1977

Professor fiilton P. Gordon
Oepartment of Biociiemis try
University of dashington
5405 iiealtti Sciences building
Seattle, dashington 93195

Dear :lilt :

It was really 8 pleasure to nave some interesting science to look

at. dost of the letters I get regarding recombinant UNA are rehashes
of old arguments with no new inforaation.

   It seems to ma tnat your findings have two points of relevance to
tne reconbinant DNA deoate. Yirst, as you pointed out, your data indicate
tiiat tne eukaryote/prokaryote oarrier is not absolute, as Bob Sinsneimer
:ias argued. You probably are also aware of the isolation, from urines of
terainal colon cancer patients, of graia negative bacteria, identified as
G. I coli, ----- tnat appear to synthesize tiurnan ?-cnoriogonadotrophin. Second,
your ooservations suggest that in at least tnis one situation, the
euKaryote/prokaryote exchange is related to a eukaryote disease. The
scenario is sore or less waat nas been isagined as leadin3 to potential
nazards fros recosbinant experiments. You proDably know that the NId
Guidelines refer specifically to problcms arisinp, from experinents with
Agrooacteriutn turw fac iens .

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   liy OWL~ experience with radio and television has not been especially
iiappy. fou would be best: off in a live interview, rattier tnan a taping
wiiicii will tiien be edited at sodieone else's pleasure. I have found tnat
listeners appreciate a silnple, straightforward description of the science.

Stan Coiien's article more or less reflects my own views on recombinant

Oiu'A. I Delieve tiiat it is especially iaportant, to stress the very
stringent require,nents in tne IIIti Guidelines, includin; the experinents
tiiat are prohibited. .*iy own present opinion is that ve need to extend
tile provisions of the Guidelines to all work being carried oat in the U.S.,
regardlcss of source of funding. And further, that federal legislation is
needed to accomplisn rnis and to discoursge the difficulties tnat would
arise fron differing atate and local actions. You will find :nore detail
in tne attacned papers - one fro3 a Congressional briefing, and one a talk
I gave at tile Academy Foruii?. I. hope tnat they art? helpful. Good luck!

Sincere 1 y,

;.iaxine Singer