Biotechnology Competitiveness Act of 1988

(Reported to House from the Committee on Agriculture with amendment, H. Rept. 100-992 (Part II))

Biotechnology Competitiveness Act of 1988 - Title I: National Center for Biotechnology Information - Amends part D (National Library of Medicine) of title IV of the Public Health Service Act to establish the National Center for Biotechnology Information to focus and expand the collection, storage, retrieval, and dissemination of the results of biotechnology research by information systems and to support the development of new information technologies regarding the molecular processes that control health and disease. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1989 through 1993.

Title II: National Biotechnology Policy Board and Advisory Panels - Subtitle A: National Biotechnology Policy Board - Establishes in the executive branch a National Biotechnology Policy Board (Board) to review and appraise programs, activities, and regulatory policies relating to biotechnology and to submit recommendations to the President and the Congress. Sets forth reporting requirements. Requires the Biomedical Ethics Board to review, prior to publication, reports issued by the Board and advisory panels the Board establishes.

Authorizes appropriations for FY 1989 through 1993 to carry out this title.

Subtitle B: Human Genome Research and Development - Establishes a National Advisory Panel on the Human Genome to advise the Board on matters concerning the mapping and sequencing of the human genome. Sets forth reporting requirements. Requires the Biomedical Ethics Board to review the ethical and social implications of human genome research.

Subtitle C: National Agricultural Biotechnology Advisory Panel - Establishes, as an advisory panel to the National Biotechnology Policy Board, a National Agricultural Biotechnology Advisory Panel to advise the Board on agricultural biotechnology and coordinate national agricultural biotechnology activities. Sets forth reporting requirements.

Title III: Biomedical Ethics Board Reauthorization - Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize appropriations for the Biomedical Ethics Board (Ethics Board) and the Biomedical Ethics Advisory Committee (Ethics Committee) for FY 1989 through 1991.

Requires the Ethics Board and the Ethics Committee to function through a majority vote of their members and to adopt rules governing their procedures.