Benefits of Corn Genome Mapping

Early last year it was announced that a group of scientists at Washington University had completed a working draft of the corn genome. To finish the job, the National Science Foundation’s Plant Genome Research Initiative is looking for about $100 million in federal funding.

An Iowa corn farmer and chairwoman of the National Corn Growers Association’s (NCGA) Research and Business Development Action Team recently testified before a congressional subcommittee in support of that funding request. “We believe this program is crucial to agricultural research,” said Pam Johnson, a farmer from Floyd, Iowa, at the hearing of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies. “Corn is a model system for studying complex genomic structure, organization and function and its high quality genetic map will serve as the foundation for studies that will lead to improved biomass and bioenergy resources from all crops.”

Why is this research worth $100 million in tax dollars? Essentially, the corn genome holds tremendous potential to meet society’s growing demands for food, livestock feed and fuel. The genome will help unravel the basic biology of corn. That information can be used to look for genes that make corn more nutritious or more efficient for ethanol production, for example.

“Corn growers will be able to plant varieties that are better suited to market and environmental needs, such as pest resistant traits, lower nitrogen and water needs, and higher yields – all increasing sustainability,” Pam said in her comments. “Consumers will also benefit from more abundant and sustainable food, feed and fuel supplies. Improvements aimed at increasing yield and enhancing nutritional value to achieve cheap, plentiful and safe food products that will directly benefit consumers.”

Sounds like a pretty good return for a $100 million investment. Better than most that the government makes!