NCGA
Applauds Mapping of Rice Genome, Pushes for Corn Genome Mapping (8-11-05)
On the heels of the breakthrough
news of the completion of the genetic map of the rice plant, the National
Corn Growers Association (NCGA) is advocating harder than ever for funding
to finish the mapping of the corn genome.
“This is an exciting
day for all of agriculture,” said June Silverberg, NCGA director
of public policy. “With the rice plant mapping complete, we can now
look toward finalizing the sequence of the corn genome and continue the
pursuit for research in maize traits. NCGA has long supported and been
heavily involved in research and development for new uses of agricultural
crops like corn. It continues to be a key priority for NCGA.”
NCGA spearheaded the creation
the National Plant Genome Initiative, which is managed by the National
Science Foundation (NSF) and supported by the Interagency Working Group
on Plant Genomes. The ultimate goal of the initiative is to enhance the
understanding of the structure and function of all plant genes at all levels,
which will directly impact the production of major food crops.
According to NCGA, the corn
genome will have significant benefits that will be felt throughout the
world. The potential benefits include: agronomic value (physical resistance,
stress tolerance and yield) and improved outputs (chemical/industrial,
feed, human food and pharmaceutical).
These advances should also
have the larger effects of: increasing production efficiency by 20 percent
over the next 10 years; adding at least $4 billion in increased farm value
per year; move the nation toward a self-reliant bio-based economy, decreasing
the need for foreign oil; and increased sustainability of agriculture.
The importance of genomic
research is broadly understood, as demonstrated by the
recent collaboration between Monsanto, Ceres, Pioneer Hi-Bred International,
Inc., a subsidiary of DuPont, the Danforth Plant Science Center
and the NCGA to make genome data available to public researchers.
“Consumers are going to benefit from a more nutritious, abundant
and sustainable food supply with a finished corn genome,”
Silverberg said. “NCGA supports increased funding for the
initiative and for NSF. It has always been a key legislative issue
for our growers.”
Earlier this summer the House
passed the appropriations bill with funding requests for NSF programs,
including the corn genome. The Senate Appropriations Committee passed their
bill, which also included funding for the corn genome, but the bill has
not been voted on in the full Senate.
NCGA is continuing its directive
to secure more funding for the plant genome projects and has encouraged
corn growers to talk to their senators, urging support for the project
funding and asking legislators to bring the appropriations bill to the
floor for a final vote.