Rosovsky Approves DNA Research Lab

Dean Rosovsky yesterday asked the Corporation to authorize construction of a laboratory for research on recombinant DNA.

Several Harvard biologists have criticized the proposed research, citing the possibility that a disease-causing agent could be created and communicated to human beings.

The experiments will study control mechanisms in the DNA of higher-level organisms. Researchers will transfer DNA from warm-blooded animals into a strain of E-coli, bacteria they claim rarely survives outside the laboratory.

The project will operate at the next to highest level of research precautions, which calls for filters on air leaving the laboratory and a system that prevents air in the laboratory from escaping when the doors are opened.

Walter Gilbert '53, American Cancer Society Professor of Molecular Biology, who will be one of the researchers, said yesterday the research could lead to the synthesis of such human hormones as insulin, which is presently taken from cows and pigs.

The Branton Committee, which was composed of Harvard scientists, studied the proposed laboratory plans and agreed that such a facility could safely be installed in the Biological Laboratories.

The Committee on Research Policy, chaired by Francis M. Pipkin, associate dean of the Faculty for the Colleges, approved experiments with recombinant DNA on June 4.

"People didn't think that the danger of experimenting was substantial enough to prevent experimentation," Pipkin said yesterday.

"There is no evidence from which to decide. It's never been done, so we don't know its consequences," Pipkin added. "There is no reason to think that it is ultra-dangerous."

The committee also decided to continue its review of similar research issues during the next year, considering what it termed "the circumstances which might ever justify placing limitations on the pursuit of knowledge."

Dangerous Strain?

Ruth Hubbard '45, professor of Biology, said yesterday she opposed any plans for conducting recombinant DNA research using E-coli in the Bio Labs.

"The work hasn't been proven not to be a health hazard," she said.

Hubbard added she fears researchers will create a pathogenic form of E-coli, that might then be carried out of the laboratory.

"No one knows why or how E-coli becomes pathogenic when it does," she said.

Gilbert, however, compared the likelihood of the lab's creating a virulent pathogenic bacteria to the probability that a meteorite will devastate Cambridge tomorrow.

"The hazards have been grossly exaggerated," Gilbert said, adding that researchers will know whether a strain is dangerous before it can leave the laboratory.

"The E-coli strains we will use are not pathogens. They are very weak strains and they don't live well outside human beings," Gilbert said. "They will be growing under conditions which aren't found outside the laboratory."

"Part of the nature of the problem is that there are very few facts. My interpretation leads me to think that there aren't great dangers," Gilbert said.

Cambridge Hearing

Last night, the Cambridge City Council approved an order calling for a hearing on construction of the recombinant DNA laboratory.

Richard McKinnon, administrative assistant to the mayor, said yesterday the hearing will be held to determine whether the DNA research poses a significant health hazard.

"It is incumbent upon the University to show that the dangers aren't real and that the research is safe," McKinnon said.

The order, drafted by Cambridge Mayor Alfred E. Vellucci, requests that the city manager call a public hearing within two weeks, and that he invite President Bok, Rosovsky, informed biologists and the director of the Cambridge Hospital.