Plan in motion to move Cornell lab to Morrisville

Cornell University is preparing to shutter its internationally famous equine drug-testing laboratory. In a joint endeavor, Morrisville State College in central New York is poised to absorb Cornell’s laboratory into its existing Equine Science program and expand and enhance some new programs. Because it is a cooperative effort between the schools, the transfer could happen by next spring.

 

First though, the move requires a change in state law, which now specifically requires all testing be done at Cornell. Lawmakers have indicated they are favorable to the move.

 

The Cornell lab has been an innovator in equine drug testing and has the ability to test for hundreds of different drugs. Last year it conducted 94,000 tests. But expenses for the Cornell program have increased sharply in recent years with the state’s payments to Cornell increasing from $2.2 million in 2004 to $3.6 million this year. Additionally, the lab facility is in serious disrepair and as much as $9 million is needed for a new building. The state, facing huge budget shortfalls, cannot afford it.

 

Raymond Cross, president of Morrisville and one of the leaders of the move from Cornell, said the drug testing laboratory is a good match for Morrisville’s growing equine programs.

 

“The state doesn’t want to have to increase the existing budget, which they would have to do if the lab remained at Cornell,” he said. “We believe that because we operate other businesses in similar fashion we have a model that would work well for this. We could basically absorb it. Obviously, there are some things that we’ll have to add, but we could transfer their staff and a lot of equipment because it is owned by the state and the NYSRWB (New York State Racing and Wagering Board). There is gas spectrometer that could be transferred over as well.”

 

Dr. George Maylin, a leading expert in equine drug testing and veterinary toxicology, would also move to Morrisville, about 70 miles from Cornell. “We’re in the process of creating equine toxicology and pharmacology courses, which Dr. Maylin would teach,” added Cross.

 

Dr. Chris Nyberg, dean of the School of Agriculture and Natural Resources, agrees that the move could be virtually seamless.  “We already have an Equine Rehabilitation Program and Facility in the final phases of design, with construction starting this spring,” said Dr. Nyberg.

 

He added that because Morrisville already has several equine training programs in place, having a drug testing lab on site is a plus. “A drug testing lab must to stay abreast of changes so they can research and test new substances that may come into use.  Therefore you need to have horses in training to use for research. We already have that. We might need to only add a treadmill so they can exercise right in front of the researchers.”

 

New York State Racing and Wagering Board chairman John Sabini also backs the move. In a written statement Sabini said, “Having the equine experts at Morrisville State College operate our drug program would be a tremendously beneficial development for all racing stakeholders in New York and would unleash the potential for new economic development opportunities in central New York. Should this project move forward, it has the potential to make Morrisville a flagship center for the testing of performance-enhancing drugs not just for horse racing but for all sports.”