This Just In ...

A state microbe?

Posted by Kevin Fischer on Sept. 11, 2009 | 0 comments

From the, “I kid you not” file…

State Representatives Gary Hebl and Amy Sue Vruwink, both Democrats, have sent the following out to all legislators asking for support of legislation they intend to introduce:


“This bill honors Wisconsin’s tradition of dairy production while promoting Wisconsin as a biotechnology hub by establishing Lactococcus lactis as the State Microbe of Wisconsin.  It will make Wisconsin the first state in the nation to adopt a state microbe and will bring needed attention and publicity to two important Wisconsin industries: dairy production and biotechnology.  This bill will help define Wisconsin as a center for biotechnology, will focus attention on the extensive research conducted in our state to improve our economic future in agriculture, biological sciences, and manufacturing, and best of all, it will do so with no cost to taxpayers.  This bill offers a creative way to promote Wisconsin at a time when all budgets, both private and public, are tight. 

L. lactis is the microbe chiefly responsible for the production of Cheddar and Colby cheeses as well as various other dairy products. The use of this microbe as the principal starter culture by Wisconsin’s cheese industry arguably makes L. lactis the most vital organism for our state’s economy contributing upwards of $18 billion annually. Through new research into alternative uses of this microbe conducted locally at our state universities, L. lactis has also shown potential for producing new vaccine delivery methods putting Wisconsin once again at the forefront of biotechnological research.

Additionally, adding a State Microbe to the list of official state symbols will create an educational opportunity for youths to be exposed to the importance of biotechnology in our state, further encouraging our students to pursue degrees in high-demand, high-tech fields.”

Gotta love those high priorities.