[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 46 (Friday, March 21, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4278-S4280]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. DOMENICI (for himself, Ms. Cantwell, Mrs. Murray, and Mr. 
        Bingaman):
  S. 682. A bill to authorize funding for Genomes to Life Research and 
Development at the Department of Energy for fiscal years 2004 through 
2008; to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
  Mr. DOMENICI. Mr. President, I rise to introduce the Genomes to Life 
Research and Development Act. I appreciate the bipartisan sponsors, 
Senator Cantwell, Senator Murray and Senator Bingaman who join me in 
its introduction.
  In the last 2 years, there have been many events celebrating the 
completion of maps of the human genome. The genome map has been lauded 
from many quarters, with some referring to it as the ``recipe for 
life,'' our ``genetic fingerprint,'' or the ``holy grail of biology.'' 
There can be no question that the work of the DOE, the NIH, and private 
industry to complete this map has ushered in a new frontier in 
biological research.
  I had the tremendous pleasure and honor of being the first legislator 
to recognize the importance of human genomics. It was at a March 1986 
conference in Sante Fe, NM, led by Charles DeLisi and David Smith, that 
the first proposal for the DOE Human Genome Initiative was developed. 
And it was in 1987 that I introduced the legislation that laid the 
foundation for the Human Genome project. Senator Chiles worked with me 
in this effort, and both the Labor and Energy Committees had important 
roles in advancing the project.
  The first year of appropriated funding was fiscal year 1988, with $11 
million for the DOE and $17 million for the NIH. Since then, in 
completing the map, over $3 billion has been invested. I firmly believe 
that history will view that investment as one that truly changed 
medical and health sciences for all mankind.
  I have found it amusing to review some of the arguments against the 
genome project in those early days. It was labeled as a ``mindless 
factory project,'' or ``a scheme for unemployed

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bombmakers.'' One well known researcher said, ``The Idea is gathering 
momentum. I shiver at the thought.''
  Now there's only praise for the future of this endeavor. I 
particularly value an autographed copy of the original genome map that 
was presented to me in February of 2001 by Craig Venter, president of 
Celera Genomics, with the inscription ``Your vision went beyond the 
parochial objections of the few and the doubts of the many, we all owe 
you our thanks.''
  But even as we can see today that the benefits to mankind from the 
genome project will be immense, we also are nowhere near the point of 
fully utilizing the treasure trove of information in these maps. Today, 
we do not understand how details of genome sequence influence medical 
conditions. In short, we have a map, but aren't quite sure exactly how 
that map corresponds to reality.
  With this bill, we authorize a new DOE program, Genomes to Life. 
Along with companion measures in the NIH, this DOE program will seek to 
interpret this wonderful new map and really begin to use it. Through 
these programs, we will begin to understand how our own DNA sequence, 
as expressed in our own genome map, translates into a collection of 
interacting proteins that function as our own personal molecular 
machine.

  The intellectual challenges in this new initiative are immense. They 
require public support for the basic and applied research and 
development. There must be significant advances in areas like 
characterization of multi-protein complexes and gene regulatory 
networks that will be required before biologically based solutions and 
technologies will be available for applications to DOE missions.
  New instruments will be essential in the Genomes to Life research. 
These may be instruments that haven't been invented yet. Specialized 
facilities will be required to advance the field and realize its 
promise. This bill envisions these facilities being built as user 
facilities, using the model that the Department already successfully 
uses for many facilities in diverse areas of science.
  With the Genomes to Life program, and its companion programs at the 
NIH, we'll finally be in a position to understand how genomic 
information can be used to benefit mankind. From the NIH side, we will 
be far better equipped to understand many diseases. We may have drugs 
designed for specific genetic profiles, drugs may be screened for 
adverse interactions, and side effects of drugs may be predicted and 
avoided.
  From the DOE side of the program, we may have biological approaches 
to hydrogen production or carbon sequestration. We may have new 
alternatives for detection and mitigation of biological threats. We may 
have new biological tools to handle complex cleanup issued at DOE 
sites.
  This Bill lays the foundation for this new Genomes to Life program, 
and I encourage its support.
  I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the 
Record.
  There being no objection, the bill was ordered to be printed in the 
Record, as follows:

                                 S. 682

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

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as ``The Genomes to Life Research and 
     Development Act''.

     SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

       The Congress finds the following:
       (1) The Department of Energy's Genomes to Life initiative 
     involves the emerging fields of systems biology and 
     proteomics, which address the ability to understand the 
     composition and function of the biochemical networks and 
     pathways that carry out the essential processes of living 
     organisms.
       (2) The Genomes to Life initiative builds on the Department 
     of Energy's integral role in the Human Genome Project, which 
     has led to the mapping, sequencing and identification of 
     genetic material. Genomes to Life will go beyond mapping to 
     develop an understanding of how genetic components interact 
     to perform cellular activities vital to life.
       (3) The ability of the United States to respond to the 
     national security, energy and environmental challenges of the 
     21st century will be driven by science and technology. An 
     integrated and predictive understanding of biological systems 
     will enable the United States to develop new technologies 
     related to the detection of biological and chemical agents, 
     energy production, carbon sequestration, bioremediation and 
     other Department of Energy statutory missions. These advances 
     will also enhance the strength of U.S. science, technology, 
     and medicine generally.
       (4) The fundamental intellectual challenges inherent in the 
     Genomes to Life initiative are considerable, and require 
     public support for basic and applied research and 
     development. Significant advances in areas such as the 
     characterization of multiprotein complexes and gene 
     regulatory networks will be required before biologically-
     based solutions and technologies will be useful in national 
     security applications, as well as to the energy, medical and 
     agricultural industries.
       (5) The development of new scientific instruments will also 
     be required to advance Genomes to Life research. Such 
     instruments are likely to be large and costly. Specialized 
     facilities are also likely to be required in order to advance 
     the field and to realize its promise. Such facilities will be 
     sufficiently expensive that they will have to be located and 
     constructed on a centralized basis, similar to a number of 
     unique facilities already managed by the Department of 
     Energy.
       (6) Contributions from individual researchers as well as 
     multidisciplinary research teams will be required to advance 
     systems biology and proteomics.
       (7) The Department of Energy's Office of Science is well 
     suited to manage systems biology and proteomics research for 
     the Department. Through its support of research and 
     development pursuant to the Department's statutory 
     authorities, the Office of Science is the principal federal 
     supporter of the research and development in the physical and 
     computational sciences. The Office is also a significant 
     source of federal support for research in genomics and the 
     life sciences. The Office supports research and development 
     by individual investigators and multidisciplinary teams, and 
     manages special user facilities that serve investigators in 
     both university and industry.

     SEC. 3. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY PROGRAM.

       (a) Establishment.--The Secretary shall carry out a program 
     of research, development, demonstration, and commercial 
     application, to be known as the Genomes to Life Program, in 
     systems biology and proteomics consistent with the 
     Department's statutory authorities.
       (b) Planning.--
       (1) In general.--The Secretary shall prepare a program plan 
     describing how knowledge and capabilities would be developed 
     by the program and applied to Department missions relating to 
     energy, environmental cleanup, and mitigation of global 
     climate change.
       (2) Consultation.--The program plan will be developed in 
     consultation with other relevant Department technology 
     programs.
       (3) Long-term goals.--The program plan shall focus science 
     and technology on long-term goals including:
       (A) contributing to U.S. independence from foreign energy 
     sources,
       (B) stabilizing atmospheric levels of carbon dioxide to 
     counter global warming,
       (C) advancing environmental cleanup, and
       (D) providing the science and technology basis for new 
     industries in biotechnology.
       (4) Specific goals.--The program plan shall identify 
     appropriate research, development, demonstration, and 
     commercial application activities to address the following 
     issues within the next decade:
       (A) identifying new biological sources of fuels and 
     electricity, with particular emphasis on creating biological 
     technologies for the production and utilization of hydrogen;
       (B) understanding the Earth's natural carbon cycle and 
     create stategies to stablize atmospheric carbon dioxide;
       (C) developing a knowledge and capability base for 
     exploring more cost effective cleanup strategies for 
     Department sites;
       (D) capturing key biological processes in engineered 
     systems not requiring living cells.
       (c) Program Execution.--In carrying out the program under 
     this Act, the Secretary shall--
       (1) support individual investigators and multidisciplinary 
     teams of investigators;
       (2) subject to subsection (d), develop, plan, construct, 
     acquire, or operate special equipment or facilities for the 
     use of investigators conducting research, development, 
     demonstration, or commercial application in systems biology 
     and proteomics;
       (3) support technology transfer activities to benefit 
     industry and other uses of systems biology and proteomics; 
     and
       (4) coordinate activities by the Department with industry 
     and other federal agencies; and
       (5) award funds authorized under this Act only after an 
     impartial review of the scientific and technical merit of the 
     proposals for such awards has been carried out by or for the 
     Department.
       (d) Genomes to Life User Facilities and Ancillary 
     Equipment.--
       (1) Authorization.--Within the funds authorized to be 
     appropriated pursuant to this Act, the amounts specified 
     under section 4(b) shall, subject to appropriations, be 
     available for projects to develop, plan, construct, acquire, 
     or operate special equipment, instrumentation, or facilities 
     for invesigators conducting research, development, 
     demonstration, and commercial application in systems biology 
     and proteomics and associated biological disciplines.
       (2) Projects.--Projects under paragraph (1) may include--
       (A) the indentification and characterization of 
     multiprotein complexes;

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       (B) characterization of gene regulatory networks; 
     characterization of the functional repertoire of complex 
     microbial communities in their natural environments at the 
     molecular level; and
       (C) development of computational methods and capabilities 
     to advance understanding of complex biological systems and 
     predict their behavior.
       (3) Facilities.--Facilities under paragraph (1) may include 
     facilities for--
       (A) the production and characterization of proteins;
       (B) whole proteome analysis;
       (C) characterization and imaging of molecular machines; and
       (D) analysis and modeling of cellular systems.
       (4) Collaboration.--The Secretary shall encourage 
     collaborations among universities, laboratories and industry 
     at facilities under this subsection. All facilities under 
     this subsection shall have a specific mission of 
     technology transfer to other institutions.

     SEC. 4. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       (a) Total Authorization.--The following sums are authorized 
     to be appropriated to the Secretary, to remain available 
     until expended, for the purposes of carrying out this Act:
       (1) $100,000,000 for fiscal year 2004;
       (2) $170,000,000 for fiscal year 2005;
       (3) $325,000,000 for fiscal year 2006;
       (4) $415,000,000 for fiscal year 2007; and
       (5) $455,000,000 for fiscal year 2008.
       (b) User Facilities and Ancillary Equipment.--Of the funds 
     under subsection (a), the following sums are authorized to be 
     appropriated to carry out section 3(d):
       (1) $16,000,000 for fiscal year 2004;
       (2) $70,000,000 for fiscal year 2005;
       (3) $175,000,000 for fiscal year 2006;
       (4) $215,000,000 for fiscal year 2007; and
       (5) $420,000,000 for fiscal year 2008.

     SEC. 5. DEFINITIONS

       For purposes of this Act:
       (1) Department.--The term ``Department'' means the 
     Department of Energy.
       (2) Proteomics.--The term ``proteomics'' means the 
     determination of the structure, function, and expression of 
     the proteins encoded in any genome, including new protein 
     sequences encoded in a genome for which the structural or 
     functional correlates are not currently known.
       (3) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
     of Energy, acting through the Biological and Environmental 
     Research Program of the Office of Science of the Department.

  Ms. CANTWELL. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce--along with my 
colleagues Chairman Domenici, and Senators Bingaman and Murray--the 
Genomes to Life Research and Development Act.
  This bill capitalizes on the enormous success of the Human Genome 
Project, and promises to take this important research to the next 
level. While the mapping of the human genome is an unparalleled 
accomplishment on its own, this new initiative will allow researchers 
to go beyond the science of description, and begin to explore the 
complex interactions of the elements within cells.
  It is those intracellular dynamics that truly hold the key to finding 
solutions to some of our most difficult scientific problems--from 
detection of biological and chemical agents and nuclear waste clean-up 
to figuring out new and more efficient ways to produce hydrogen, so 
crucial in attaining energy independence for this Nation. Where the 
Human Genome Project has provided researchers with the range and 
description of musical notes, Genomes to Life will enable scientists to 
begin to understand the way these notes are arranged to produce music--
the essential process of life.
  The Genomes to Life Act sets out an aggressive path for DOE, to make 
this area a high priority for the Office of Science. Of course, none of 
this would be possible without the successes of the Human Genome 
Project, and I want to acknowledge the vision of this legislation's 
other sponsor, Chairman Domenici, in making that a reality. As some of 
my colleagues may be aware, the senior Senator from New Mexico laid the 
foundation for the Human Genome Project with legislation he first 
introduced in 1987.
  I am thus extremely pleased to be working with him on this bill, 
which I believe is the Human Genome Project's logical successor. Our 
legislation would authorize the Department of Energy to design and 
establish national research centers to investigate proteomics and 
genomics. Proteomics refers to the study of proteins, how they are 
modified, when and where they are expressed, how they are involved in 
metabolic pathways, and how they interact with each other. Genomics 
refers to the study of three-dimensional structures of thousands of 
proteins--all of the proteins produced by a species.
  These are exciting research fields that combine the discipline of 
physics, chemistry, biology, engineering, and advanced computational 
and mathematical modeling. The Department of Energy's Office of Science 
has a long history of success in large scale, cross-discipline 
scientific research and is thus well suited to manage this program. In 
addition, a significant component of the Human Genome Project has been 
the transfer of technology to the private sector, which has in turn 
catalyzed the multi-billion dollar U.S. biotechnology industry and 
fostered the development of new medical applications.
  The Genomes to Life Act that Chairman Domenici, Senators Bingaman, 
Murray and I are introducing today provides a coordinated and 
comprehensive plan for the next generation of biotechnology research 
facilities. The functions and dynamics of all living cells are 
determined by the complex interactions of the constituent proteins. We 
do not yet understand these interactions, but the Genomes to Life Act 
will give us the best tools to investigate these microscopic mysteries. 
Put in simple terms, teams of American scientists will try to answer 
the fundamental question, ``How do cells work?'' This bill will ensure 
that state of the art facilities, leading edge equipment, and the next 
generation of commuters are available to map and model these complex 
interactions, as we strive to answer this critical question.
  The promise of biotechnology research is especially important to my 
state of Washington--home to many world-class research facilities. 
Washington has over 190 biotechnology companies employing more than 
11,000 people. In 2001, the annual revenue of these companies exceeded 
$1.2 billion. Nearly one half of these companies were based on 
technologies developed at research and development institutions and 
over 40 percent of the companies have been established in the past six 
years.
  This legislation's provisions--ensuring that research with its 
origins at the Department of Energy provides the science and technology 
basis for new industries in biotechnology, and that DOE continues to 
identify appropriate commercial applications--will help this important 
economic sector continue to grow in Washington state and across the 
country.
  The Genomes to Life Research and Development Act that Sens. Domenici, 
Bingaman, Murray and I have introduced today will strengthen our 
national security and our national economy. Additionally, the 
integrative and predicative understanding of biological systems will 
improve our ability to respond to the energy and environmental 
challenges of the 21st century. The Genomes to Life laboratories will 
attract top researchers and push the envelope of present technologies. 
The Genomes to Life Act will help the U.S. to maintain our premiere 
position in the world in the fields of science and technology.
  I look forward to working with my colleagues during this session to 
ensure passage of this legislation. I believe that the United States 
must continue to invest in scientific research to maintain our standing 
in the world and I am confident that this short-term investment will 
pay long-term dividends to our health, our security, and to our 
economy.
                                 ______