The Donald S. Fredrickson Papers

Title:: [Fredrickson reading an excerpt from "A History of Recombinant DNA Guidelines in the United States"]

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Transcript of Audio

Description:

This reading, titled "The Moral," is of the last paragraph of Fredrickson's article, which appeared in the Recombinant DNA Technical Bulletin in July 1979.

Running Time:

45 seconds

Date:

1997-07-14 (July 14, 1997)

Creator:

Fredrickson, Donald S.

Source:

[Recording of Dr. Fredrickson reading "The Moral"] (Audio cassette) (July 14, 1997)

Rights:

This item is in the public domain. It may be used without permission.

Subject:

Medical Subject Headings (MeSH):: Guidelines; DNA, Recombinant

Exhibit Category:

The Controversy over the Regulation of Recombinant DNA Research, 1975-1981

Relation:

A History of the Recombinant DNA Guidelines in the United States (July 1979)

Box Number:

Unique Identifier:

FFBBBB

Document Type:

Sound recordings

Excerpts

Language:

English

Format:

audio/x-realaudio

video/quicktime

Physical Condition:

Good

Series: Audio-Visual Materials, 1978-1997

SubSeries: Audio Materials, 1982-1997

Folder: Recording of Dr. Fredrickson reading "The Moral," 1997 Jul 14

Transcript:

It is possible that the "recombinant DNA affair" will someday be regarded as a social aberration, with the Guidelines preserved under glass. Even so, we can say the beginnings were honorable. Faced with real questions of theoretical risks, the scientists paused and then decided to proceed under caution. That decision gave rise to dangerous overreaction and exploitation, which gravely obstructed the subsequent course. Uncertainty of risk, however, is a compelling reason for caution. It will occur again in some areas of scientific research, and the initial response must be the same. After that, the lessons learned here should help us through the turbulence that is sure to come.

Metadata Last Modified Date:

2007-03-14

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