June 23, 2003

Mark S. Klempner, M.D.
Assistant Provost for Research
Boston University Medical Campus
Conrad Wesselhoeft Professor of Medicine
Vice Chair for Research
Department of Medicine
715 Albany Street
Boston, MA 02118

Dear Dr. Klempner,

The Council for Responsible Genetics (CRG) and other organizations from around the country have called on Boston University Medical Center (BUMC) to be more transparent in its request for biodefense funding.

You stated in the informational meeting on May 12th, 2003 that you would be willing to share with the public a redacted version of the proposal sent by BUMC to NIAID. CRG asks you to follow through on that public commitment. Such partial disclosures have been provided by the University of California at Davis and the University of Texas Medical Branch and are fully consistent with federal guidelines.

During our May 12th meeting, you also made a strong verbal commitment to not conduct classified research at the proposed BU facility. We urge you to make a formal statement in writing regarding this matter.

Sincerely,

Sujatha Byravan

Executive Director
Council for Responsible Genetics