[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 5 (Monday, January 31, 2000)]
[Senate]
[Pages S144-S146]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      NATIONAL BIOTECHNOLOGY MONTH

  Mr. HATCH. Madam President, as we come to the end of the first month 
of the new millennium, I want to make a few remarks about the great 
promise of biotechnology in benefitting the American public. In fact, 
January 2000 has been very appropriately designated as Biotechnology 
Month.
  In my view, this first century of the new millennium will be 
remembered by historians for revolutionary advances in biomedical 
research. It is fitting that in the next few months scientists will 
complete the mapping of the human genome--the basic blueprint of the 
structure of human beings. This event ranks very high in the 
technological achievements of mankind.
  It is also noteworthy that this task required the confluence of some 
of the best minds in the medical sciences and computer technology. 
Frankly, the mapping of the human genome simply would not have been 
possible at this time absent the development of the low-cost, high-
speed computers that have been available to scientists in recent years. 
Over the next few decades perhaps no more valuable cargo will travel 
down the information highway of the Internet than the gene maps.
  This new knowledge will not sit idly in digital databases. For once 
the detailed genetic structure is known and accessible, researchers 
will be better able to understand the function of individual genes and 
complex interactions among collections of genes. Once both structure 
and function are ascertained, diagnostic tools, therapeutic agents and 
preventives such as vaccines can be more easily developed. It is the 
American public who stands to benefit most from this new knowledge and 
products.
  It would be difficult to underestimate the effect that biotechnology 
will have on health care delivery and, more to the point, on the health 
status of the American public and our neighbors throughout the world. 
In the area of cancer, for example, we are positioned to make 
substantial gains in knowledge that will make traditional treatments 
obsolete. I am pleased that the University of Utah and Myriad Genetics, 
a small Salt Lake City biotech firm, are at the forefront of the battle 
against breast cancer. Their work on the BRCA-I gene has contributed 
substantially to our understanding of how this terrible disease is 
triggered genetically. All of us wish success to these Utah scientists 
and their colleagues throughout the world in their efforts to curtail 
breast cancer.
  Advances in biotechnology will also emanate from the medical device 
industry. For example, Paradigm Medical Industries, another Salt Lake 
City firm, is refining existing laser technology in order to develop a 
new ``cold'' laser that promises to reduce the adverse reactions rate 
associated with cataract surgery. While I may not be expert in all the 
scientific underpinnings of this new photon phacoemulsification system, 
I can say that since over 3 million cataract procedures are performed 
annually it is in the interest of the public to cut down on the current 
corneal burn rate of about 1,000 per day.
  As a representative of the people of Utah, I am proud to report that 
my state is home to over 120 companies in the biosciences. These firms 
employ over 11,000 Utahns and an additional 2,500 individuals outside 
of Utah. Total annual revenues of these Utah bioscience firms is in 
excess of $1.6 billion. The aggregate estimated market value of these 
firms exceeds $8 billion.
  The success of Utah in the exciting arena of biotechnology has been 
facilitated by the efforts the Utah Life Science Association--ULSA--and 
the State of Utah's Division of Business and Economic Development. I 
must commend the leadership of Governor Leavitt and Brian Moss of ULSA 
for their tireless efforts to promote the expansion of Utah's 
biotechnology sector.
  Utah is certainly not alone in its activity in biotechnology. 
Nationally, there are over 1300 biotech companies. Collectively, these 
firms employ over 150,000 people. The biotechnology industry accounts 
for over $10 billion in research and discovery activities annually and 
revenues of over $18 billion.
  Frankly, despite this impressive record of success, we have only 
scratched the surface of the future promise of this industry. About 90 
biotechnology products have been approved by the Food and Drug 
Administration. More telling of the growing strength of this industry 
is the fact that over 350 biotechnology products are in late stage 
clinical trials. As these products move to the FDA approval stage, it 
seems foreseeable that in the next few years this research intensive 
sector, which recorded a net loss of $5 billion in 1998, will move into 
and stay in the black.
  As Chairman of the Judiciary Committee and as a Senator with a long 
time interest in health care, I can assure my colleagues that I will do 
all in my power to ensure that our intellectual property laws are 
structured in a way to help assure that the promising work in 
biotechnology laboratories can be delivered to the bedside of American 
patients in a fair and expeditious manner. To meet the goal of 
delivering new therapies to the patients, we must also work to ensure 
that the FDA regulatory system promptly and consistently renders 
judgments based on science and that the laws affecting international 
trade do not result in unnecessary barriers to delivering these new 
breakthroughs worldwide.
  In closing, I think it only fitting that the Senate has taken special 
note of the almost limitless frontier of biotechnology at the dawn of a 
new century and new millennium.
  Ms. MIKULSKI. Madam President, I rise today in commemoration of 
January 2000, as National Biotechnology Month. In November, the Senate 
passed a resolution designating January 2000 as National Biotechnology 
Month.
  Biotechnology is changing the face of medicine. The United States 
leads the world in biotechnology innovation. Approximately 1,300 
biotech companies in this country employ more than 150,000 people. 
Biotech companies are on the cutting edge--working to develop 
innovative life-saving drugs and vaccines. The industry spent nearly 
$10 billion on research and development in 1998 while revenues totaled 
$18.4 billion. Product sales topped $13 billion. The industry recorded 
a net loss of $5 billion.
  I'm proud that Maryland is home to over 200 biotechnology companies. 
Companies in Maryland are working to map the human genome and develop 
drugs to treat Alzheimer's, Parkinson's Disease, and diabetes. 
Biotechnology has grown in Maryland, in part because Maryland is a 
place for great medical innovations. Maryland is home to the ``golden 
triangle''--private sector biotech companies, federal research 
laboratories, and universities. Maryland houses the National Institutes 
of Health (NIH), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), other federal 
labs, outstanding academic research institutions such as Johns Hopkins 
University and the University of Maryland, and a growing number of 
biotech companies. The combination of these public and private sector 
entities creates a unique environment for research and new ideas to 
flourish.
  Biotech companies will likely have an increasingly important role in 
providing medicines in the 21st century. The number of biotechnology 
drug approvals is increasing. More than 350 biotechnology medicines are 
already in late-stage clinical trials for heart ailments, cancer, and 
neurological diseases and infections. Some of these drugs will likely 
lead the way to improved health and well-being for millions of 
Americans. I salute the biotechnology companies in Maryland and across 
the country as they work to improve the lives of patients everywhere.
  Mr. CRAIG. Madam President, I rise today on behalf of myself and my 
colleague Senator Harry Reid, and Senators Ashcroft, Bennett, Breaux, 
Crapo, Grassley, Murray, Roberts, Robb, and Sarbanes to recognize 
January 2000 as National Biotechnology Month.

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  It is fitting that in the first month of this new year, at the start 
of a new century, we look to biotechnology as our greatest hope for the 
future.
  Mapping the human genome, for example, is ahead of schedule and 
nearly complete. That achievement, begun 10 years ago, will rank as one 
of the most significant advances in health care by accelerating the 
biotechnology industry's discovery of new therapies and cures for our 
most life-threatening diseases.
  Biotechnology not only is using genetic research to create new 
medicines, but also to improve agriculture, industrial manufacturing 
and environmental management.
  The United States leads the world in biotechnology innovation. There 
are approximately 1,300 biotech companies in the United States, 
employing more than 150,000 people. The industry spent nearly $10 
billion on research and development in 1998. Although revenues totaled 
$18.4 billion, the industry recorded a net loss of $5 billion because 
of the expensive nature of drug development.
  In 1999, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved more 
than 20 biotechnology drugs, vaccines and new indications for existing 
medicines, pushing the number of marketed biotech drugs and vaccines to 
more than 90. Total FDA biotech approvals from 1982 through 1999 reach 
more than 140 when adding clearances for new indications of existing 
medicines. The vast majority of new biotech drugs were approved in the 
second half of the 1990s, demonstrating the biotechnology industry's 
surging proficiency at finding new medicines to treat our most life-
threatening illnesses.
  Biotechnology is revolutionizing every facet of medicine from 
diagnosis to treatment of all diseases. It is detailing life at the 
molecular level and someday will take much of the guesswork out of 
disease management and treatment. The implications for health care are 
as great as any milestone in medical history. We expect to see great 
strides early in this century.
  A devastating disease that has stolen many of our loved ones, 
neighbors and friends is cancer. Biotechnology already has made 
significant strides in battling certain cancers. This is only the 
beginning.
  The first biotechnology cancer medicines have been used with surgery, 
chemotherapy and radiation to enhance their effectiveness, lessen 
adverse effects and reduce chances of cancer recurrence.
  Newer biotech cancer drugs target the underlying molecular causes of 
the disease. Biotech cancer treatments under development, such as 
vaccines that prevent abnormal cell growth, may make traditional 
treatments obsolete. In addition, gene therapy is being studied as a 
way to battle cancer by starving tumor cells to death.
  Many biotech drugs are designed to treat our most devastating and 
intractable illnesses. In many cases these medicines are the first ever 
therapies for those diseases. For example, advancements in research 
have yielded first-of-a-kind drugs to treat multiple sclerosis and 
rheumatoid arthritis as well as cancer.
  Other medicines in clinical trials block the start of the molecular 
cascade that triggers inflammation's tissue damaging effects in 
numerous disease states. In diseases, such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's 
and Huntington's, clinical trials are under way to test a variety of 
cell therapies that generate healthy neurons to replace deteriorated 
ones. Recent breakthroughs in stem cell research have prompted experts 
to predict cures within 10 years for some diseases, such as Type I 
(Juvenile) Diabetes and Parkinson's.
  With more than 350 biotechnology medicines in late-stage clinical 
trials for illnesses, such as heart ailments, cancer, neurological 
diseases and infections, biotechnology innovation will be the 
foundation not only for improving our health and quality of life, but 
also lowering health care costs.
  In the past 2 years Congress has increased funding for the National 
Institutes of Health's basic research programs by 15 percent per year. 
We are 40 percent of the way toward doubling the NIH budget. Health-
care research, however, is not one-sided. The public funds we provide 
are for basic research. The private sector takes this basic science and 
then spends many times more than what the government has contributed to 
create new drugs and get them to patients. In today's world, 
biotechnology companies are among the greatest innovators and risk 
takers.
  Biotechnology also is being used to improve agriculture, industrial 
manufacturing and environmental management. In manufacturing, the 
emphasis has shifted from the removal of toxic chemicals in production 
waste streams to replacement of those pollutants with biological 
processes that prevent the environment from being fouled. And because 
these biological processes are derived from renewable sources they also 
conserve a traditional energy resource. Industrial biotechnology 
companies are the innovators commercializing clean technologies and 
their progress is accelerating at an astonishing rate.
  In agricultural biotechnology, crops on the market have been modified 
to protect them from insect damage thus reducing pesticide use. Biotech 
crops that are herbicide tolerant enable farmers to control weeds 
without damaging the crops. This allows farmers flexibility in weed 
management and promotes conservation tillage. Other biotech crops are 
protected against viral disease with the plant equivalent of a vaccine.
  The number of acres worldwide planted with biotech crops soared from 
4.3 million in 1996 to 100 million in 1999, of which 81 million acres 
were planted in the United States and Canada. Acceptance of these crops 
by farmers is one indication of the benefits they have for reducing 
farming costs and use of pesticides while increasing crop yields.
  Biotech crops in development include foods that will offer increased 
levels of nutrients and vitamins. Benefits range from helping 
developing nations meet basic dietary requirements to creating disease-
fighting and health-promoting foods.
  Biotechnology is improving the lives of those in the U.S. and abroad. 
The designation of January 2000 as National Biotechnology Month is an 
indication to our constituents and their children that Congress 
recognizes the value and the promise of this technology. Biotechnology 
is a big word that means hope.
  Mr. HARKIN. Madam President, I am pleased to join my Senate 
colleagues in recognizing January as National Biotechnology Month. At 
the dawn of this new century, it is fitting for us to recognize the 
promise and potential of biotechnology.
  With the mapping of the human genome, we are on the brink of critical 
advances in health care and medical discovery. These advances can 
become new cures and new treatments, new industrial products, and 
improved agricultural products. Biotechnology is changing medical 
practice from the way diseases are diagnosed to the way they are 
treated. By helping us to understand life at the molecular level, 
biotechnology can help eliminate the guesswork of disease management 
and treatment.
  Biotechnology researchers have already made dramatic strides in 
confronting some of our most devastating and tragic diseases, from 
cancer to multiple sclerosis to Alzheimers. Recent breakthroughs in 
human embryonic stem cell research have given us cause to predict cures 
for diseases such as Parkinsons, juvenile diabetes and spinal cord 
injury.
  As Ranking Member of the Labor, Health and Human Services and 
Education Appropriations subcommittee, I have been a long-time advocate 
for health research. Last year, Arlen Specter and I took the lead in 
providing the National Institutes of Health (NIH) with a $2.3 billion 
increase, the largest in NIH history, bringing the agency's overall 
budget to $17.9 billion. This year, we plan to introduce a resolution 
calling for a $2.7 billion increase--keeping our commitment to double 
NIH funding over five years.
  NIH provides funding for the basic science that underpins the 
important research and development done by the biotechnology industry. 
This strong public-private partnership has made our country the world 
leader in the area of biotechnology innovation. There are approximately 
1300 biotech companies in the United States, employing more than 
150,000 people. In my own state of Iowa, we have approximately 180 
companies, with more than

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10,000 employees. In 1999, the Food and Drug Administration approved 22 
biotechnology drugs, vaccines and new indications for existing 
medicines. We currently have more than 90 biotech drugs and vaccines on 
the U.S. market. And I know this is only the beginning.
  In addition to its medical applications, biotechnology offers many 
exciting possibilities in the field of agriculture as well. Through 
biotechnology scientists are already developing new varieties and 
strains of plants and animals that will help to solve myriad problems 
and challenges relating to agriculture. The results of advances in 
agricultural biotechnology, impressive as they already are, represent 
merely the infancy of this promising scientific field.
  The fact that over 800 million of our fellow citizens on this planet 
suffer from hunger or undernourishment points to the tremendous 
challenge we face to produce enough food for an ever growing 
population. As it has in the past, biotechnology will contribute 
tremendously to meeting that challenge, through increased yields and 
production, improved productive efficiency and enhanced suitability for 
difficult environments. Developing new plant varieties that are more 
tolerant of drought or soil salinity would help to increase food 
production in areas of the world where people are now going hungry.
  Biotechnology also promises to help solve environmental challenges in 
agriculture. For example, plants that are inherently resistant to 
diseases or insects reduce the amount of pesticides that would 
otherwise be applied and enter the environment. Biotechnology can also 
help to reduce the amount of tillage that is needed, thereby reducing 
energy consumption and soil erosion.
  Thus far biotechnology has been applied for the most part at the 
level of the farm, and has not been perceived by consumers as directly 
benefitting them to a significant degree. That is about to change. We 
are already seeing the development of new strains of plants that have 
specific traits to improve the nutritional quality of foods derived 
from them. Work at Iowa State University, for example, has developed 
soybeans that produce a soybean oil with lower saturated fat than 
conventional soybeans. We are not far from having rice that contains 
Vitamin A, which would alleviate a great deal of human suffering in 
developing countries.
  Perhaps the most fascinating area of biotechnology involves the 
potential for developing new crops and livestock designed to produce a 
variety of raw materials and substances, likely to be of high value, 
for use in very specific applications, including medicine. We can 
produce from plants everything we now rely on petroleum to produce: 
energy and industrial raw materials for a wide range of products. I 
believe there will be real economic opportunities for farmers in 
producing these higher value crops and animals, and for rural 
communities in processing them.
  To be sure, if agricultural biotechnology is to meet its potential, 
we must ensure that all questions about its safety for consumers and 
for the environment are fully answered. I believe that those questions 
can and will be answered satisfactorily, using the best sound science 
available.
  Mrs. FEINSTEIN. Madam President, as January 2000, National 
Biotechnology Month, comes to a close, I want to recognize the 
importance of the biotechnology to the nation and to commend this 
industry for its innovations in disease diagnosis, treatment, and 
prevention.
  The United States is the leader in the biotechnology industry, and I 
am proud to say that California has the nation's largest concentration 
of health care technology companies. California, alone, is home to over 
2,500 biomedical companies and employs over 241,000 people in health 
care technology and biomedical and clinical research fields. 
California's health care technology companies are producing leading 
edge products, for example, the first new therapy for cystic fibrosis 
in 30 years, Genetech; technology that enables doctors to do heart 
surgery without opening the chest cavity, Heartport; a cancer drug that 
is genetically engineered and stimulates the bone marrow to produce 
important white blood cells, Amgen; linear accelerators for treating 
cancer, Varian; and intraocular eye lenses, Allergan.
  Biotechnology has enabled us to reduce hospital stays, to detect 
cancer and other life-threatening illnesses earlier in order to begin 
treatments earlier; to attack diseases cell by cell to eliminate 
unnecessary side effects, and to use vaccines to prevent abnormal cell 
growth. This is a critical time in biotechnology, as scientists 
continue to make strides in cellular and genetic research, and I am 
hopeful that this work will improve our health and well-being. I am 
confident that as this industry continues to grow, we will see 
treatments to greatly improve the lives of millions of Americans, and 
we will see cures to illnesses that we did not think were possible.
  I commend the more than 150,000 employees of the biotech industry 
nationwide and join them in observing January as National Biotechnology 
Month.
  Mr. WYDEN. Madam President, I rise today in recognition of National 
Biotechnology Month. Biotechnology has produced drugs that hold the 
promise for many to live healthier lives. Biotechnology also holds 
enormous promise to make even more profound contributions to public 
health in the future.
  For example, biotechnology strategies include the development of 
cancer vaccines as well as drugs that target specific cancer antigens 
to stimulate a patient's own immune system to kill tumor cells. There 
are so many other diseases that devastate families, like Alzheimers and 
heart disease, which biotechnology could be applied to successfully.
  The Federal government has increased funding for basic scientific 
research. Private sector investments and small business development 
should also be encouraged. As remarkable as some of its achievement so 
far, biotechnology is only beginning. It is appropriate to begin the 
21st Century with National Biotechnology Month because biotechnology 
holds so much promise for medicine and improving the quality of life.

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