March 3, 1976

Dr. Francesco Blasi
Centro Di Studio Per L'Endocrinologia
E. L'Oncologia Sperimentale
Del Consiglio Nazionale Delle Ricerche
Via S. Andrea Delle Dame, 2
80138 Napoli ITALY

Dear Francesco:

   Thanks for the letter.  We are all fine, though the lab now is a bit
quiet, with Rao and you gone, Michele on work holiday in Sweden and the new
Israeli Fellow not yet arrived.  For once, everyone has a desk!  And I
finally have a little time to catch up with what everyone is doing.  We
have news from Tikva, and she seems to be thriving, scientifically and
ot herwi se .

You yourself seem very busy indeed!  To answer your questions there is

the following.  First, enclosed are the latest version of the recombinant
DNA Guidelines. We are all hopeful that Don Frederickson, as Director of
NIH, will shortly adopt this, either as is, or with some minor modification.
Except for a relatively small group, most people here view these guidelines
as quite strict.  I know that is true of the EMBO comnittee on Recombinant
DNA.  John Toote is responsible for that Committee and he is a good person
for you to keep in touch with as they are set up to advise European scientists
(EM50 Headquarters, Heidelberg).  There will also shortly be an ICSU Committee,
also designed to aid in countries where official action is being considered.
You will see from the U.S. guidelines that no legislation is contemplated,
but rather enforcement through institutional biohazards comni ttees and the
NIH (or NSF).  We are all trying to stop any interest in legislation, as
that does not seem appropriate and would be inflexible. One can certainly
anticipate that the rules will change as knowledge is accumulated.

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Dr. Francesco Blasi

  About the cDNA, the best bet would be to contact Phil Leder here.
I know nothing about comercial reverse transcriptase, nor does Dinah.
He should know.  He can also tell you what kind of enzyme they use,
and sources of virus for good enzyme.

be in Ernest's lab in Israel for a few weeks then.

I will, unhappily, miss you the beginning of July.

1'11

Very best.

Si ncerel y ,

Maxi ne Singer
Nucleic Acid Enzymology Section
Laboratory of Biochemistry
National Cancer Institute

Encl .