ASSEMBLY SCIENCE, INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY COMMITTEE

 

STATEMENT TO

 

SENATE, No. 1729

 

with committee amendments

 

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

 

DATED:  SEPTEMBER 17, 2018

 

      The Assembly Science, Innovation and Technology Committee reports favorably and with committee amendments Senate Bill No. 1729.

      As amended and reported, this bill designates Streptomyces griseus as the official microbe of the State of New Jersey.  Streptomyces griseus is a soil-based microorganism that was discovered in New Jersey in 1916 and later celebrated for its groundbreaking use as an antibiotic.

      Streptomyces griseus drew international headlines in 1943 after a research team from Rutgers University, led by Dr. Selman Waksman with Albert Schatz and Elizabeth Bugie, used the microbe to create streptomycin, the world’s first antibiotic for tuberculosis.  Prior to this discovery, tuberculosis was one of the deadliest diseases in human history; throughout the early 1900s, tuberculosis was the second leading cause of death in the United States.  However, within 10 years of the antibiotic’s release, tuberculosis-related deaths dropped to an all-time low due to the widespread use of streptomycin.  Dr. Waksman was later awarded a Nobel Prize in 1952 for his role in leading the discovery.

      Although Streptomyces griseus and streptomycin were two of the most consequential discoveries of the twentieth century, few people remember these historical accomplishments or the distinguished New Jerseyans who helped cure the deadliest disease of their age.

      As amended and reported, this bill is identical to Assembly Bill No. 3650, which was also amended and reported by the committee on this date.

 

COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS:

      The committee amended the bill to make certain technical corrections and to include additional details regarding the discovery of Streptomyces griseus and the development of streptomycin.