We are called upon to formulate a policy that can guide the use of recombinant DNA technology into the 21st century. It must therefore be flexible enough to address issues that cannot be predicted and must be based on sound principles that will not fall away with the next scientific discovery.

The policy must be grounded on your own firm understanding of the potentials of recombinant DNA technology. This subcommittee must integrate multiple and diverse inputs to form a coherent policy. It is not enough to rely on the testimony of experts in the field, who may know a great deal about the technical aspects of the problem but have little grasp of the social or economic implications. You may make good use of experts as a source of facts, but interpretation is your responsibility.

While the policy must enunciate broad principles, it should also be robust enough to address specific questions regarding the use of recombinant DNA. At minimum, the following scenarios should be addressed:

Case 1: Somatic cell gene therapy
Case 2: Germ line gene therapy
Case 3: Industrial use of recombinant organisms
Case 4: Agricultural use of recombinant organisms
Case 5: Ecological use of recombinant organisms

The American people are depending on you to prepare legislation that will steer a course between recklessness and stifling timidity. If you make an imprudent decision, we may have to pay for it in years to come. Wrong-headed regulations might lead to an ecological disaster or to economic stagnation. Either way, it's on your head.

Case 1: Somatic cell gene therapy
Baby Doe has been diagnosed as having sickle cell anemia, a genetic disease that is incurable by normal methods. Her physicians have suggested gene therapy -- providing her with a normal copy of the gene.

Case 2: Germ line gene therapy
Jane X wishes to have children, but she has found that she has Huntington's disease, associated with progressive neural degeneration and early death. Any of her children would have a 50% chance of getting the disease as well. A recently developed technique would enable her germ line cells to be altered, replacing the gene conferring Huntington's disease with a normal copy. This action would eliminate the possibility that her future children and their progeny could develop the disease.

Case 3: Industrial use of recombinant organisms
Squid Pharmaceuticals Inc. has developed a genetically altered bacterium that is able to produce taxol in large quantities. Taxol is a very expensive drug that has shown success in treating certain types cancer. Squid wishes to market the drug produced by recombinant DNA. If it is permitted to do so, the price of the drug may fall to a level that permits wider use.

Case 4: Agricultural use of recombinant organisms
A breed of cow has been developed that secretes into its milk protein from a variety of pathogenic viruses, including influenza, hepatitis, polio, and rubella. Simply by drinking the milk, children gain exposure to these proteins and consequent immunity against the diseases.

Case 5: Ecological use of recombinant organisms
A gene directing the synthesis of a powerful toxin specifically directed against mosquitoes has been cloned and placed in an algae eaten by mosquito larvae. Several countries in which malaria and other mosquito-borne diseases are serious problems have asked for the algae in hopes that releasing it into mosquito-infested swamps might control the deadly diseases.