Lynn C. Woolsey: “my amendment would create a research program within the National Science Foundation to address a significant gap of…”

“my amendment would create a research program within the National Science Foundation to address a significant gap of knowledge on biosafety, a gap of knowledge that must be filled. The amendment establishes the Biosafety Research Program, so we can understand in scientific terms the effects of altering biological systems. It funds the basic science needed to understand the effects of introducing new plant and animal varieties through both traditional breeding techniques and through new methods of biotechnology in our agriculture, horticulture and aquaculture systems. For thousands of years we have experimented with plants, animals, microbes, and ecological systems in an effort to survive and prosper through the development of food and fiber sources, medicines and other materials essential to our well-being. Essentially, we have been moving our biological system around, sometimes intentionally, sometimes not intentionally. Here I use the term ``biological systems'' in the broadest sense. A biological system could be a set of genes, a whole organism, an ecosystem, or a group of ecosystems that co-exist in the landscape. It is no secret, Mr. Chairman, that a contentious debate has surrounded the introduction of biotechnology products. The debate has been characterized more by statements of hope by the advocates and fear from opponents than by science-based information.”