§ 5924. — Agricultural Genome Initiative.
[Laws in effect as of January 24, 2002]
[Document not affected by Public Laws enacted between
January 24, 2002 and December 19, 2002]
[CITE: 7USC5924]
TITLE 7--AGRICULTURE
CHAPTER 88--RESEARCH
SUBCHAPTER VII--MISCELLANEOUS RESEARCH PROVISIONS
Sec. 5924. Agricultural Genome Initiative
(a) Goals
The goals of this section are--
(1) to expand the knowledge of public and private sector
entities and persons concerning genomes for species of importance to
the food and agriculture sectors in order to maximize the return on
the investment in genomics of agriculturally important species;
(2) to focus on the species that will yield scientifically
important results that will enhance the usefulness of many
agriculturally important species;
(3) to build on genomic research, such as the Human Genome
Initiative and the Arabidopsis Genome Project, to understand gene
structure and function that is expected to have considerable payoffs
in agriculturally important species;
(4) to develop improved bioinformatics to enhance both sequence
or structure determination and analysis of the biological function
of genes and gene products;
(5) to encourage Federal Government participants to maximize the
utility of public and private partnerships for agricultural genome
research;
(6) to allow resources developed under this section, including
data, software, germplasm, and other biological materials, to be
openly accessible to all persons, subject to any confidentiality
requirements imposed by law; and
(7) to encourage international partnerships with each partner
country responsible for financing its own strategy for agricultural
genome research.
(b) Duties of Secretary
The Secretary of Agriculture (referred to in this section as the
``Secretary'') shall conduct a research initiative (to be known as the
``Agricultural Genome Initiative'') for the purpose of--
(1) studying and mapping agriculturally significant genes to
achieve sustainable and secure agricultural production;
(2) ensuring that current gaps in existing agricultural genetics
knowledge are filled;
(3) identifying and developing a functional understanding of
genes responsible for economically important traits in
agriculturally important species, including emerging plant and
animal pathogens and diseases causing economic hardship;
(4) ensuring future genetic improvement of agriculturally
important species;
(5) supporting preservation of diverse germplasm;
(6) ensuring preservation of biodiversity to maintain access to
genes that may be of importance in the future;
(7) reducing the economic impact of plant pathogens on
commercially important crop plants; and
(8) otherwise carrying out this section.
(c) Grants and cooperative agreements
(1) Authority
The Secretary may make grants or enter into cooperative
agreements with individuals and organizations in accordance with
section 3318 of this title.
(2) Competitive basis
A grant or cooperative agreement under this subsection shall be
made or entered into on a competitive basis.
(d) Administration
Paragraphs (1), (6), (7), and (11) of subsection (b) of section 450i
of this title shall apply with respect to the making of a grant or
cooperative agreement under this section.
(e) Matching of funds
(1) General requirement
If a grant or cooperative agreement under this section provides
a particular benefit to a specific agricultural commodity, the
Secretary shall require the recipient to provide funds or in-kind
support to match the amount of funds provided by the Secretary under
the grant or cooperative agreement.
(2) Waiver
The Secretary may waive the matching funds requirement of
paragraph (1) with respect to a research project if the Secretary
determines that--
(A) the results of the project, while of particular benefit
to a specific agricultural commodity, are likely to be
applicable to agricultural commodities generally; or
(B) the project involves a minor commodity, the project
deals with scientifically important research, and the recipient
is unable to satisfy the matching funds requirement.
(f) Consultation with National Academy of Sciences
The Secretary may use funds made available under this section to
consult with the National Academy of Sciences regarding the
administration of the Agricultural Genome Initiative.
(Pub. L. 101-624, title XVI, Sec. 1671, Nov. 28, 1990, 104 Stat. 3769;
Pub. L. 104-66, title I, Sec. 1011(s), Dec. 21, 1995, 109 Stat. 710;
Pub. L. 104-127, title VIII, Sec. 835, Apr. 4, 1996, 110 Stat. 1169;
Pub. L. 105-185, title II, Sec. 241, June 23, 1998, 112 Stat. 547; Pub.
L. 107-171, title VII, Sec. 7208(a), May 13, 2002, 116 Stat. 442.)
Amendments
2002--Subsec. (b)(3). Pub. L. 107-171, Sec. 7208(a)(1), inserted
``pathogens and'' before ``diseases causing economic hardship''.
Subsec. (b)(7), (8). Pub. L. 107-171, Sec. 7208(a)(2)-(4), added
par. (7) and redesignated former par. (7) as (8).
1998--Pub. L. 105-185 amended section catchline and text generally,
substituting present provisions for provisions which in subsec. (a)
required plant genome mapping program, in subsec. (b) authorized
competitive grants for research projects, in subsec. (c) described
research areas for projects, in subsec. (d) set forth deadline for
submission of plan for awarding grants, in subsec. (e) directed
coordination of section activities with certain related activities, in
subsec. (f) required protection of proprietary interests when considered
to be appropriate, and in subsec. (g) authorized appropriations for
fiscal years 1996 and 1997 to carry out this section.
1996--Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 104-127 inserted ``for fiscal years 1996
and 1997'' after ``appropriated''.
1995--Subsecs. (g), (h). Pub. L. 104-66 redesignated subsec. (h) as
(g) and struck out former subsec. (g) which required Secretary to submit
annual reports to Congress describing operations of grant program for
plant genome mapping.
