millions to map cow's genetic code

[TxDoc]

Perry promises millions to map cow's genetic code

By Gary Susswein

 

AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF

 

Wednesday, March 5, 2003

 

Gov. Rick Perry has promised to steer $10 million in state money to a national project to map the genetic code of a cow.

 

But some lawmakers who are trying to fill a $9.9 billion budget shortfall have a beef with Perry's willingness to use general state money to create the perfect bovine.

 

"That would be a pretty hard sell at the time we're looking at the shortfall we've got," said Senate Finance Committee Chairman Teel Bivins, R-Amarillo.

 

Bivins suggested that the state use money not destined for state services, perhaps funds that are earmarked for the Baylor College of Medicine, which will map the bovine genome with help from Texas A&M University.

 

In addition to Texas' con- tribution over the next three years, the National Institutes of Health will contribute $25 million, and private and international donors will give $15 million.

 

Perry spokeswoman Kathy Walt said the state should look at various sources of money, including the general revenue dollars that have become a precious commodity among state agencies and advocates this year.

 

In a pair of letters to federal officials last month, Perry said the project will help the beef and dairy industries produce higher quality animals, help scientists develop human medicines and even prevent terrorism attempts against the food supply.

 

"Bovine genome sequencing holds enormous potential," he wrote to Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman, "and is in the best interest of our country."