“A bill to authorize the National Science Foundation to conduct research for biotechnology risk assessment, and for other purposes.”
No CRS summary available for this bill.
This section states congressional findings that (1) biotechnology is routinely used to modify genetic sequences in plants, animals, and microorganisms, resulting in useful products across agriculture, medicine, industry, and defense; and (2) specific research would help inform the federal government, state governments, industry, and other stakeholders on addressing the safety of biotechnology products.
This section establishes a National Science Foundation program within the Directorate for Technology, Innovation, and Partnerships to fund research on environmental, human health, and animal health risks of organisms produced with biotechnology, including identification of unintended genetic changes, development of risk management practices, monitoring of dispersal and persistence (including gene drives), gene transfer rates, comparative environmental impacts, and risks from convergence with artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies. Eligible recipients include institutions of higher education (as defined in section 102 of the Higher Education Act of 1965), federally funded research and development centers, nonprofit research institutions, industry and other private sector entities, other appropriate entities, and consortia thereof; awards prioritize projects with commercialization potential, novelty relative to current knowledge, relevance to research priorities, and consideration of ethical, legal, and social implications. The NSF Director must consult with the Department of Agriculture, Food and Drug Administration, Environmental Protection Agency, and other relevant agencies on research applicability to regulation and provide regulatory assistance; the program authorizes $50 million for each of FY2026 through FY2030 and permits use of additional unrestricted NSF funds.
This section directs the Director of the National Science Foundation (NSF), in consultation with the Secretary of Agriculture, Commissioner of Food and Drugs, EPA Administrator, and other relevant agency heads, to enter into an agreement within 90 days of enactment with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to conduct a two-phase study on the safety and benefits of biotechnology tools and products and to submit related reports. Phase one, due within one year of the agreement, requires analysis of biotechnology tools' characteristics and risks compared to conventional genetic modification methods, recommendations for risk-proportionate assessment frameworks, and identification of research needs on tool safety. Phase two, due within two years of the agreement, requires analysis of commercialized biotechnology products' safety and benefits compared to conventional products and other human activities, recommendations for evaluating future products, processes or tests to reduce oversight for lower-risk products, and identification of research needs on product safety and benefits. Within 90 days of completing each phase, the National Academies must submit reports with findings and recommendations to the NSF Director, consulted agencies, the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, and the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, and post them publicly. Within 180 days after receiving both reports, the NSF Director, in consultation with the specified agencies, must submit to Congress an implementation plan for federal research, development, and demonstration activities to address identified gaps in biotechnology safety research. The section authorizes $1.5 million for FY2026.