Bill Earmarks $740,000

Sep. 24–The Donald Danforth Plant Science Center in Creve Coeur stands to receive $740,000 under an Agriculture Department spending bill that passed Thursday in the Senate.

The money is earmarked for research and development of genetically modified crops. Specific projects it would cover include work on soybeans with oil that could be used as a renewable fuel source and food crops with increased levels of micronutrients.

The appropriation was secured by Sens. Christopher “Kit” Bond and Jim Talent, both Missouri Republicans.

The Senate version of the bill must be reconciled with one approved by the House of Representatives.

Bond, an advocate of life-science research, said he has earmarked more than $450 million for plant genomics as a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee.

Talent, a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, said in a statement: “The Danforth Center is known around the world for their success in improving human health and increasing agricultural production. The work they are doing in Missouri is also generating economic growth and creating jobs for our workers.”

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