Pete Domenici: “I rise to introduce the Genomes to Life Research and Development Act. I appreciate the bipartisan sponsors, Senator…”

“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.”