A bill that establishes a $20 million program of grants formarine biotechnology within the national sea grant systempassed in the House of Representatives on Tuesday.

The Marine Biotechnology Act of 1993, H.R. 1916, "will tap thescientific and commercial potential of genetic research inmarine organisms by creating a program of grants for marinebiotechnology research and development," said Rep. LynnSchenck, D-Calif., an original co-sponsor of the bill.

"The program will be administered by the National Sea GrantCollege, using federal funds to stimulate state and localgovernments and the private sector to invest in marinebiotechnology," Schenck said.

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