The Michigan Daily Vol LXXXVII, No. 2-S Ann Arbor, Michigan-Thursday, May 5, 1977 Ten Cents Twelve Pages Wheeler to-ask DNA/curbs By SUE WARNER Mayor Albert Wheeler will prepare and introduce to City Coun- cil a resolution for an ordinance to control DNA research in the city. He hopes to have the resolution ready for presentation at the council's May 16 meeting. "We don't want to stop the research, but we want to take all the steps we can to protect the health, safety and welfare of this community," Wheeler said yesterday. ACCORDING TO Wheeler, the ordinance will require that the city be notified of any individual or group who intends to do DNA research in Ann Arbor. Also, the city will be informed of the type of research, level of risk and provisions made for physical safety. "We don't know for certain the benefits or harm that will occur," Wheeler stated. "It appears there are big benefits that are possible, the dangers are those which uncontrolled experinien- tation might lead to." Although he acknowledges attempts to assure research con- ditions that eliminate physical danger, Wheeler warns, "There are long-term, potential dangers wer're not certain about. There could be serious implications for humankind." ^ALSO, THE mayor is concerned with the risks involved in re- search that may not be necessary, specifically research at what he called "the P4 level." "I don't think we need it. 'There's no real benefit--it should be postponed," he said. Wheeler is aware of limitations on local control of DNA research, explaining that DNA research effects cannot be stopped from spreading into the limits of neighboring communities. "IT IS MY hope and expectation that the Federal government, or perhaps the state, will set up guidelines," he asserted. Wheeler traveled to Washington this week to speak before the House Subcommittee on Science, Research and Technology which is investigating the possible benefits and dangers of DNA recom- binant research. The mayor, who is an associate professor of microbiology at the University, was one of four individuals who addressed the committee concerning the present level of local control over DNA research and what seems to be emerging as policy at the local level. See WHEELER, Page 2 Wheeler Nixon breaks silence p WASHINGTON W) - Former during the climactic minutes of "I BROUGHT myself down," President Richard Nixon broke a paid-for interview with British said the 37th president, the his long silence on Watergate television personality David first to resign the office. "I yesterday night, conceding "I Frost, Nixon admitted he lied in gave 'em a sword and they letdown my friends, I let down some of his public statements stuck it in and they twisted it the country, I let down our sys- while in office. with relish." tem of government." And Nixon said he considered He added: "I guess if I'd But, 1,000 days after he re- resigning in . April 1973 - 15 been in their position, I'd have signed in disgrace over the months before he did so-but done the same thing." Watergate scandal, Nixon in- he said he remained in office to The former president was al- sisted he did not obstruct jus- insure his foreign policy mo- ternately combative, hesitant, tice. "I did not commit, in my mentum would continue. contrite and somber. He smiled view, an impeachable offense," Nixon said friends have sug- only infrequently, in the tense he declared. gested that there was a con- manner so familiar to Ameri- spiracy to oust him but "I don't cans during his aborted tenure. HIS EYES glistening at times go with the idea." Nixon spoke without notes, proudly pointing out once that he was relying on memory for events and conversations that took place nearly five years ago. His recall has been sharp- ened, however, by work on his memoirs, due for publication next April, ONLY WHEN acknowledging "my political life is over" did Nixon's voice crack slightly. "I said things that were not true," he told Frost, but he said that didn't apply to the "big issues" of the scandal. Again, as he did all through the heat of Watergate, Nixon maintained he was not involved in the break-in at Democratic headquarters at the Watergate on June 17, 1972. And he de- nied that he had participated in or approved the payment of hush money to the burglars. That is exactly what he said when he was trying to save his embattled presidency in the face of impeachment resolutions just before he resigned. OF THE hush money pay- ments, Nixon said: "It's possi- ble it's a mistake that I didn't stop it. "It was so botched up," he said of the way Watergate was handled by his administration. "I made so many bad judg- ments; the worst ones, mistakes of the heart, rather than the head." Frost and Nixon got tangled into legalisms over what con- stituted obstruction of justice See NIXON, Page 8 'U' casts vote today in support of Mobil policy By MICHAEL YELLIN The University Administration will vote to support Mobil Oil Corporation management in its actions in Rhodesia at Mobil's an- nual stockholders convention today, University Chief Financial Of- ficer James Brinkerhoff said last night. By doing so the University will probably help defeat a stock- holders' proposal requiring Mobil to insure that none of its pro- ducts are being sold to the Rhodesian white-minority government. THE UNIVERSITY owns some $1.9 million worth of Mobil stocks. The United Church Board of Ministries submitted the proposal claiming it has evidence showing Mobil's participation in supply- ing petroleum products to Rhodesia. If proved true these actions may violate U. N. sanctions and U. S. law. The Treasury Depart- ment is currently conducting an investigation of Mobil's actions in Rhodesia and South Africa to determine if the church's charges are true. The department expected to publish its findings next month. Brinkerhoff said yesterday he would "vote for management until the Treasury Department report is released." tIe indicated it was "fundamental University policy" to vote on the side of management during proxy questions "unless otherwise instructed." "THE INVESTMENT rationale behind voting with manage- ment is that if you can't put your trust totally behind manage- ment then you might as well sell the stock." Brinkerhoff labeled the decision to vote against the Church See 'U', Page 8 AP Photo DAVID FROST, left, chats with former President Richard Nixon before tiPing Nixon's first inter- view broadcasted Wednesday night. Nixon confessed that he Iet down his fiends, his nation, and "our system of government," but insisted that he did not obstruct justice.