
From the U.S. Code Online via GPO Access
[wais.access.gpo.gov]
[Laws in effect as of January 23, 2000]
[Document not affected by Public Laws enacted between
  January 23, 2000 and December 4, 2001]
[CITE: 42USC286c]

 
                 TITLE 42--THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE
 
                    CHAPTER 6A--PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE
 
              SUBCHAPTER III--NATIONAL RESEARCH INSTITUTES
 
                  Part D--National Library of Medicine
 
        subpart 3--national center for biotechnology information
 
Sec. 286c. Purpose, establishment, functions, and funding of 
        National Center for Biotechnology Information
        

(a) Establishment

    In order to focus and expand the collection, storage, retrieval, and 
dissemination of the results of biotechnology research by information 
systems, and to support and enhance the development of new information 
technologies to aid in the understanding of the molecular processes that 
control health and disease, there is established the National Center for 
Biotechnology Information (hereinafter in this section referred to as 
the ``Center'') in the National Library of Medicine.

(b) Functions

    The Secretary, through the Center and subject to section 286(d) of 
this title, shall--
        (1) design, develop, implement, and manage automated systems for 
    the collection, storage, retrieval, analysis, and dissemination of 
    knowledge concerning human molecular biology, biochemistry, and 
    genetics;
        (2) perform research into advanced methods of computer-based 
    information processing capable of representing and analyzing the 
    vast number of biologically important molecules and compounds;
        (3) enable persons engaged in biotechnology research and medical 
    care to use systems developed under paragraph (1) and methods 
    described in paragraph (2); and
        (4) coordinate, as much as is practicable, efforts to gather 
    biotechnology information on an international basis.

(July 1, 1944, ch. 373, title IV, Sec. 478, as added Pub. L. 100-607, 
title I, Sec. 105, Nov. 4, 1988, 102 Stat. 3052; amended Pub. L. 103-43, 
title XIV, Sec. 1402(b), June 10, 1993, 107 Stat. 171.)


                               Amendments

    1993--Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 103-43 struck out subsec. (c) which read 
as follows: ``For the purpose of performing the duties specified in 
subsection (b) of this section, there are authorized to be appropriated 
$8,000,000 for fiscal year 1989 and such sums as may be necessary for 
fiscal year 1990. Funds appropriated under this subsection shall remain 
available until expended.''
