Domenici To discuss national agricultural genetic project at NMSU

Date:  May 27,
Editor: D'Lyn Ford  (505) 646-6528, dlford@nmsu.edu

Sen. Pete Domenici will discuss the proposed National Agricultural Genome Project with scientists from New Mexico State University on May 27. The proposal to genetically map plant families and related micro-organisms to benefit agricultural production, is under discussion by members of the National Research Council, National Academy of Sciences, National Science Foundation, the Board on Agriculture, Board on Biology, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and U.S. Department of Energy.

Sen. Domenici is a major proponent of the National Human Genome Project, which aims to map human DNA for medical purposes. The analogous National Agricultural Genome Project aims to address current and projected hunger in the world and U.S. competitiveness.

NMSU scientists will address their potential role in such a national project. Presenters will include Mary O'Connell and Gregory Phillips of NMSU's Agricultural Experiment Station and the National Biotechnology Information Facility. The senator will take questions for 15 to 20 minutes during the session.

Earlier in the day, Sen. Domenici will host a by-invitation only lunch on campus on behalf of the New Mexico 4-H Foundation and receive the Outstanding Leadership Award from NMSU's College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences .