To authorize the National Science Foundation to establish regional centers for the purpose of plant genome and gene expression research and development and international research partnerships for the advancement of plant biotechnology in the developing world.

Requires the Director of the National Science Foundation to award grants to consortia of institutions of higher education or nonprofit organizations with experience in plant biotechnology research (or both) to establish regional plant genome and gene expression research centers. Authorizes the Director to establish matching fund requirements. Includes among authorized center activities: (1) basic plant genomics research and genomics applications; (2) basic research that will contribute to the development or use of innovative plant-derived products; (3) basic research on alternative uses for plants and plant materials; and (4) basic research and dissemination of information on the ecological and other consequences of genetically engineered plants.

Requires the Director to: (1) award grants to such institutions, organizations, or consortia to establish research partnerships for supporting the development of plant biotechnology targeted to the needs of the developing world; and (2) encourage inclusion of historically black colleges or universities, hispanic-serving institutions, or tribal colleges or universities in consortia that enter into such partnerships. Requires institutions, organizations, or consortia, to be eligible to receive a grant, to enter into a partnership with at least one research institution in at least one developing nation. Permits such a partnership to include for-profit companies involved in plant biotechnology. Includes among authorized activities: (1) basic genomic research on crops grown in the developing world; (2) basic research in plant biotechnology that will advance and expedite the development of improved cultivars; (3) basic research that could lead to the development of technologies to produce pharmaceutical compounds such as vaccines and medications in plants that can be grown in the developing world; and (4) research on the impact of plant biotechnology on the social, political, economic, and environmental conditions in developing countries.

Authorizes appropriations.

[Congressional Bills 107th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 2051 Introduced in House (IH)]







107th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                H. R. 2051

  To provide for the establishment of regional plant genome and gene 
              expression research and development centers.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                              June 5, 2001

Mr. Smith of Michigan introduced the following bill; which was referred 
                      to the Committee on Science

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
  To provide for the establishment of regional plant genome and gene 
              expression research and development centers.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. CENTERS.

    The National Science Foundation is authorized to make grants for 
the establishment of regional plant genome and gene expression research 
and development centers, the purpose of which shall be to--
            (1) develop capabilities in basic plant genome research;
            (2) extend basic plant genomics research through plant 
        breeding programs and accelerate its application to the 
        development and testing of new varieties of enhanced food crops 
        and crops that can be used as alternative energy sources;
            (3) develop alternative uses of agricultural crops; and
            (4) serve as centers for scientific and safety information 
        on plant genomics.

SEC. 2. GRANT AWARDS.

    Grant awards under this Act shall be made through an open, peer-
reviewed competition. When making awards, the National Science 
Foundation shall ensure that as many different agronomic environments 
as possible are represented.

SEC. 3. MATCHING FUNDS.

    The National Science Foundation shall not provide under this Act 
more than 50 percent of the cost of establishing any research and 
development center.

SEC. 4. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    There are authorized to be appropriated to the National Science 
Foundation $3,000,000 for fiscal year 2002 and $4,500,000 for fiscal 
year 2003 to carry out this Act.
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