. S “a Pos
; wry F
TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT BOARD Congress of the Gnited States soni H. GIBBONS

TED STEVENS, ALASKA, CHAIRMAN OFFICE OF TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT DIRECTOR

MORRIS K. UDALL, ARIZONA, VICE CHAIRMAN WASHINGTON, DC 20510

ORRIN G. HATCH, UTAH GEORGE E. BR

CHARLES McC, MATHIAS, JR. MARYLAND JOHN D. DINGELL. pera alla
EDWARD M. KENNEDY, MASSACHUSETTS CLARENCE E. MILLER, OHIO

ERNEST F. HOLLINGS, SOUTH CAROLINA COOPER EVANS, IOWA

CLAIBORNE PELL. RHODE ISLAND DON SUNDQUIST, TENNESSEE

JOHN H. GIBBONS

April 2, 1986

Dr. Joshua Lederberg

President

The Rockefeller University

1230 York Avenue

New York, New York 10021-6399

 

Dear Josh:

I am pleased to invite you to serve as a member of the Advisory Panel for the OTA
assessment of New Developments in Biotechnology. OTA is undertaking this study at the
request of the House Committee on Science and Technology and the House Committee on
Energy and Commerce.

The purpose of the assessment is to examine a series of biotechnology issues that
are of interest to Congress. These include the use of human biological materials in
research and commerce; the environmental application of genetically altered organisms;
the commercial development of tests for human genetic diseases, and additional topics.
The result of this assessment will be a series of published reports delivered to Congress
and available to the public.

The role of the Advisory Panel will be to (i) provide guidance and assistance to OTA
staff on the study methodology and research base, (ii) help identify contractors to assist
OTA staff, and (iii) review and comment on draft text.

Your acceptance of this invitation will indicate your willingness to participate in at
least three panel meetings through the next two years, each requiring one or two working
days. In addition, you may be asked to spend the equivalent total of two to three days
commenting upon written material provided for your review.

Please note that your service on the Advisory Panel will not require and does not
imply your agreement with, or endorsement of, the outcome of the assessment. Your
personal and professional experience and insights will be of great benefit to us in
producing balanced, credible, and objective reports.

Sharon Smith, administrative assistant for the OTA Biological Applications
Program, will be contacting you shortly with respect to administrative arrangements for
the first Advisory Panel meeting on May 5, 1986. Project director Gary B. Ellis will soon ~
be supplying you with an agenda and materials for that meeting. I am pleased that you
have indicated your willingness to serve as an advisor to OTA and look forward to seeing
you.

Sincerely,

Joh Gibbons

Lay fn 8 Fs je