§ 5921. — Biotechnology risk assessment research.
[Laws in effect as of January 24, 2002]
[Document not affected by Public Laws enacted between
January 24, 2002 and December 19, 2002]
[CITE: 7USC5921]
TITLE 7--AGRICULTURE
CHAPTER 88--RESEARCH
SUBCHAPTER VII--MISCELLANEOUS RESEARCH PROVISIONS
Sec. 5921. Biotechnology risk assessment research
(a) Purpose
It is the purpose of this section--
(1) to authorize and support environmental assessment research
to help identify and analyze environmental effects of biotechnology;
and
(2) to authorize research to help regulators develop long-term
policies concerning the introduction of such technology.
(b) Grant program
The Secretary of Agriculture shall establish a grant program within
the Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service and the
Agricultural Research Service to provide the necessary funding for
environmental assessment research concerning the introduction of
genetically engineered animals, plants, and microorganisms into the
environment.
(c) Research priorities
The following types of research shall be given priority for funding:
(1) Research designed to identify and develop appropriate
management practices to minimize physical and biological risks
associated with genetically engineered animals, plants, and
microorganisms.
(2) Research designed to develop methods to monitor the
dispersal of genetically engineered animals, plants, and
microorganisms.
(3) Research designed to further existing knowledge with respect
to the characteristics, rates, and methods of gene transfer that may
occur between genetically engineered animals, plants, and
microorganisms and related wild and agricultural organisms.
(4) Environmental assessment research designed to provide
analysis which compares the relative impacts of animals, plants, and
microorganisms modified through genetic engineering to other types
of production systems.
(5) Other areas of research designed to further the purposes of
this section.
(d) Eligibility requirements
Grants under this section shall be--
(1) made on the basis of the quality of the proposed research
project; and
(2) available to any public or private research or educational
institution or organization.
(e) Consultation
In considering specific areas of research for funding under this
section, the Secretary of Agriculture shall consult with the
Administrator of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service and the
National Agricultural Research, Extension, Education, and Economics
Advisory Board.
(f) Program coordination
The Secretary of Agriculture shall coordinate research funded under
this section with the Office of Research and Development of the
Environmental Protection Agency in order to avoid duplication of
research activities.
(g) Authorization of appropriations
(1) In general
There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as necessary
to carry out this section.
(2) Withholdings from biotechnology outlays
The Secretary of Agriculture shall withhold from outlays of the
Department of Agriculture for research on biotechnology, as defined
and determined by the Secretary, at least 2 percent of such amount
for the purpose of making grants under this section for research on
biotechnology risk assessment.
(3) Application of funds
Funds made available under this subsection shall be applied, to
the maximum extent practicable, to risk assessment research on all
categories identified in subsection (c) of this section.
(Pub. L. 101-624, title XVI, Sec. 1668, Nov. 28, 1990, 104 Stat. 3767;
Pub. L. 102-237, title IV, Sec. 407(9), Dec. 13, 1991, 105 Stat. 1865;
Pub. L. 107-171, title VII, Sec. 7210, May 13, 2002, 116 Stat. 446.)
Amendments
2002--Pub. L. 107-171 reenacted section catchline and amended text
generally, substituting substantially similar provisions in subsecs.
(a), (b), and (d) to (g), and substituting in subsec. (c), provisions
relating to research priorities for provisions relating to types of
research.
1991--Subsec. (g)(2). Pub. L. 102-237 substituted ``Withholdings''
for ``Witholdings'' in heading.
