[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 123 (Thursday, September 20, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1678]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    INTRODUCTION OF THE PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY IN THE DEVELOPING WORLD 
                          RESEARCH ACT OF 2001

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                       HON. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 20, 2001

  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, today I am 
introducing a bill to establish a grant program under the National 
Science Foundation to support research and development programs in 
plant biotechnology to address the food and economic needs of the 
developing world.
  My bill recognizes the great potential of plant biotechnology to 
combat hunger, malnutrition, and sickness in the developing world and 
provides the mechanism to encourage the pursuit of this exciting 
technology under the National Science Foundation, which has made 
important contributions to advance the knowledge base for plant 
biotechnology. Research funding levels at the National Science 
Foundation and elsewhere are obstacles to the use of plant 
biotechnology to address problems in the developing world.
  Plant biotechnology research has the potential to help developing 
countries increase food security and improve the quality and 
nutritional content of food. Additionally, biotechnology can also 
improve the health of citizens of developing countries by combating 
illness. Substantial progress has been made in the developed world on 
vaccines against life-threatening illnesses, but, unfortunately, 
infrastructure limitations often hinder the effectiveness of 
traditional vaccination methods in some parts of the developing world. 
For example, many vaccines must be kept refrigerated until they are 
injected. Even if a health clinic has electricity and is able to 
deliver effective vaccines, the cost of multiple needles can hinder 
vaccination efforts. Additionally, the improper use of hypodermic 
needles can spread HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. Biotechnology 
offers the prospect of orally delivering vaccines to immunize against 
life-threatening illnesses through agricultural products in a safe and 
effective manner.
  My bill establishes a grant program under the National Science 
Foundation to encourage research in plant biotechnology. Eligible grant 
recipients are required to enter into a partnership with one or more 
research institutions in one or more developing nations. Historically 
black colleges and universities, land-grant colleges, Hispanic serving 
institutions, and tribal colleges or universities are given special 
consideration under the merit-reviewed competitive grant application 
process. Non-profit and for-profit organizations are also eligible. The 
research partnership established between scientists in the United 
States and developing countries will help strengthen the capabilities 
of those countries to develop and implement applications of plant 
biotechnology.
  Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to support this important 
piece of legislation.

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