作为方是民博士读研究生时的导师，我愿意重申我对方博士在中国社会中的杰出地位的支持。

　　我对方博士的政治敌人试图诋毁他的那些做法毫无兴趣。

　　方博士在我的实验室完成了优质的论文研究，在1995年被授予博士学位。他根据他的论文研究在《生物化学杂志》发表了一篇高质量的研究论文。据我所知，他的论文工作经受了时间的考验，RNA聚合酶II的转录因子TFIIF仍然与TFIIB反应。

　　如果Root-Bernstein博士的指控有其合理之处的话，我没能看出来。方博士对Root-Bernstein已做出了合理而审慎的回应。

　　诚挚的，

　　Zachary Burton博士

　　密歇根州立大学生物化学与分子生物学系教授

　　As Dr. Shi-min Fang’s former graduate school mentor, I would like to re-iterate my support for Dr. Fang’s prominent position in Chinese society. 

　　I have no interest in the efforts of Dr. Fang’s political opponents to try to discredit him. 

　　Dr. Fang completed a good quality thesis in my laboratory, awarded in 1995. He published a high quality research paper in the Journal of Biological Chemistry based on his thesis work. So far as I know, his thesis work has passed the test of time, and Transcription Factor for RNA polymerase II (TFII)F still interacts with TFIIB.

　　If there is merit in Dr. Root-Bernstein’s accusations, I fail to see it. Dr. Fang has responded to Dr. Root-Bernstein in a reasonable and measured way. 

　　With best regards and sincerity,

　　Zachary Burton, Ph.D.

　　Professor

　　Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

　　Michigan State University

　　E. Lansing, MI 48824-1319