The U.S. National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology publicly released its first report in January of this year – with ideas and recommendations “they will be advancing throughout 2024…culminating in a comprehensive report to Congress in December 2024.”  Find a summary and analysis of the interim report here.  

Abstract

Biotechnology has the potential to bolster economic development in every community. If we capitalize on this unique opportunity, we can make this century the age of biology. A thriving biotechnology industry will enhance U.S. national security, strengthen and diversify the U.S. economy, and bolster a growing workforce. The Commission’s recommendations, when implemented, will ensure that the United States continues to lead the world in biotechnology development and deployment.

About the U.S. National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology (NSCEB)

The goal is to integrate biotechnology across the domestic economy to maximize the economic and security benefits it can offer.

The U.S. National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology (NSCEB) is tasked with examining the critical intersection of emerging biotechnology and national security, focusing on advancements in biotechnology shaping current and future national defense activities.  The Commission aims to assess and encourage developments in bio convergence to advance national security goals by fostering innovation and collaboration.  Stakeholder engagement, information gathering, and outreach are key components of the Commission’s process, with efforts to engage with various stakeholders to inform recommendations.  The Commission explores various examples of biotechnology applications, such as engineered human enzymes for deactivating nerve agents and next-generation therapeutics like mRNA vaccines.

Summary of the National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology – Interim Report

Message from the Chair and Vice-Chair

The report begins with a message from the Chair and Vice-Chair of the National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology – Dr. Jason Kelly and Dr. Michelle Rozo – underscoring the importance of U.S. leadership in biotechnology innovation, tracing back to significant advancements like the production of synthetic human insulin in 1978.  They emphasize the need for broad engagement to gather diverse perspectives in shaping policies that address national security challenges at the intersection of biotechnology.  The Chair and Vice-Chair express gratitude to the Commission staff for their efforts in improving the U.S. approach to biotechnology and stress the ongoing exploration of opportunities and challenges in the field. They also focused attention on the Commission’s commitment to comprehensive policy recommendations in 2024 and shared concrete actions already taken to advance biotechnology in the United States.

Executive Summary

The Executive Summary of the NSCEB report focuses on the Commission’s mission, approach, and actions taken so far, including:

• An emphasis on preparing the U.S. Government for the “age of biology”, accelerating innovation, embracing biotechnology, and protecting against misuse while promoting responsible use.
• Underlining the need to address gaps or limitations in national security efforts related to food and agriculture, such as foreign influence, supply chain disruptions, and regulatory policies.
• Calls for policy recommendations to reduce vulnerabilities and ensure national security in the realm of biotechnology; and
• Features a recommendation for the establishment of an Office of Biotechnology Policy within the Department of Agriculture to coordinate policies and activities related to biotechnology and emerging technologies.

Seizing the “Age of Biology”

The “Age of Biology” is characterized by the transformative potential of biotechnology, emphasizing its role in innovation, advanced manufacturing, and solving various challenges such as developing targeted medications and improving agricultural sustainability – with a focus on the importance of the United States seizing this moment in biotechnology to avoid being surpassed by countries like China, which is making significant investments in biotechnology and emerging technologies.  Failure to act decisively could empower other nations to utilize biotechnologies for surveillance and potentially undermine national security.  The report also discusses the need for regulatory efficiency and clarity in the biotechnology sector, as developers have expressed a longstanding need in this regard.

China’s Sprint to Close the Gap

Efforts in biotechnology in the People’s Republic of China (PRC) are significant, with a focus on advancements like DNA synthesis, gene editing, and precision fermentation to meet population needs and gain economic and military advantages.  The PRC has heavily invested in biotechnology, prioritizing it in multiple Five-Year Plans and aiming to dominate the industry.  Through a top-down government strategy, talent recruitment, and R&D spending, the PRC seeks to control global supply chains and blur the lines between military and civilian applications under a policy of “military-civil fusion”.  The PRC’s goal is to close the biotechnology gap and become a leader in the field, which could have implications for global competition and national security.

For the full report, go to National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology – Interim Report

What Next?

The Commission’s Path Forward

The Commission aims to strengthen America’s leadership in biotechnology by unifying efforts across government, industry, academia, and global allies to drive biotechnology forward and ensure U.S. competitiveness on the international stage.  Additionally, the Commission recognizes the importance of promoting reasonable and responsible governance in the face of rapid growth in biological data and technologies, emphasizing the need for cooperative efforts to ensure peaceful, safe, and secure uses of biotechnology.

The Commission’s path forward involves preparing the U.S. Government for the age of biology, accelerating innovation in biotechnology, and protecting against misuse while promoting responsible norms for its use:

Preparing the U.S. Government for the age of biology emphasizes the need for the U.S. Government to shape the advancements in biotechnology to support national security in a competitive landscape. It points out that while there is enthusiasm for biotechnology across federal departments and agencies, there is a lack of holistic assessment and recommended paths forward in terms of research and development and regulation – with a focus on the importance of integrating biotechnology across the domestic economy to reap economic and security benefits, stating that the United States is at a critical moment for revitalization and transformation using biology.  The commission warns that failing to lead in biotechnology development could result in other countries surpassing the U.S., potentially undermining national security.

Accelerating innovation in biotechnology is primarily concerned with the need for regulatory efficiency and clarity in biotechnology development and calls for the coordination of policies and activities related to biotechnology to accelerate innovation and embrace biotechnology.  The report stresses the role of different agencies in overseeing biotechnology, including the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, the Food and Drug Administration, and the Environmental Protection Agency. Additionally, it mentions the establishment of an interagency committee to coordinate federal government activities related to biotechnology-specific regulation and oversight. The report recommends policy actions and resource allocation to address national security vulnerabilities related to food and agriculture, including gaps in security efforts and vulnerabilities in emerging technologies.

Protecting against misuse while promoting responsible norms for its use”  stresses the importance of preventing and responding to the misuse of emerging biotechnologies, including a discussion of the need to strengthen governance systems to deter, detect, and defend against deliberate or accidental misuse of these technologies. It also emphasizes the exploration of organizational changes and policy options to prepare for various threat vectors and promote responsible innovation  The report makes clear the significance of aligning strategies with international partners to establish shared standards and norms for biotechnology, prevent misuse, strengthen supply chains, and collaborate on research projects.

Looking ahead

From the report: “The Commission recognizes its unique platform as a legislative entity with the authority to not only gather and analyze information but also to produce substantive policy reports and recommendations. For the remainder of our authorization, we intend to drive the U.S. Government towards policies and practices that best leverage American biotechnology and biomanufacturing to bolster our national security. As we continue our work, we invite you to engage with us and share feedback to inform our recommendations. To contact the Commission, please visit https://www.biotech.senate.gov or email us at [email protected].”

From the OODA Almanac 2024: Fear of Dangerous Ideas

The apprehension surrounding emergent technologies such as AI, synthetic biology, and cryptocurrencies often stems from their transformative potential and the unknowns they carry. However, it is precisely this potential for profound change that should steer us away from fear and towards a judicious embrace. AI, for instance, heralds a new epoch in cognitive augmentation, enabling us to solve complex problems with unprecedented speed and efficiency. Synthetic biology promises revolutionary breakthroughs in medicine and agriculture, potentially eradicating diseases and bolstering food security. Cryptocurrencies are redefining financial systems, offering decentralized and democratized alternatives to traditional banking. These are not mere tools or trends; they are the catalysts for a new renaissance in human capability and creativity. It is essential to recognize that the risks associated with these technologies are not monolithic but manageable with informed governance that balances innovation with ethical considerations.

We should not be afraid of these ideas; instead, we should be vigilant, fostering an ecosystem that encourages responsible exploration and safeguards against misuse. In doing so, we harness their potential to unlock a future that is more resilient, equitable, and abundant.

Additional OODA Loop Resources

For more OODA Loop News Briefs and Original Analysis, see OODA Loop: Biotechnology | Genetics | Genomics | Healthcare | Medical Tech

OODA Special Report: Executive’s Guide To The Revolution in Biology:  An update to our report on what executives need to know about the business impact of biological sciences.

Bioengineering, Health and Business: A follow-up that dives deeper into this trend of bioengineering with a focus on the healthcare sector and business. See: Bioengineering, Health and Business.

Bioengineering Beyond Health: Many revolutionary advancements go beyond healthcare. Examine them at Bioengineering Beyond Health.

Contextualizing Advancements in Bioengineering To Your Business Operations: Here we dive more into the “so what” of the revolution in bio science with a focus on how to inform and change your business strategy. See: Contextualizing Advancements in Bioengineering To Your Business Operations

The Future Now: The State of the Bioeconomy in 2023:  The Bioeconomy in 2023 is showing clear signs of opportunities for advantage created by the exponential disruption of the industrial base (including that of defense), coupled with exponential biotechnological innovation to build the bioeconomy of the future.  The State of the Bioeconomy in 2023 includes Exponential Organizational Ecosystems at Speed and Scale; Blockchain Technologies; Artificial Intelligence in Biotechnology, Genomics, Healthcare, and Medical Tech; Biomanufacturing in Cislunar Space; andHealth Security and Cybersecurity Challenges.   Details of current breakthroughs and strategic directions for each category can be found here.

Innovative Blockchain Technology Case Studies (by Industry Sector) – Blockchain Technologies in The Bioeconomy, Biotechnology, and Healthcare:  Over the course of 2022 and 2023, The OODA Loop Blockchain Series has explored blockchain disruption in the market and new opportunities created by blockchain technologies in both the public and private sectors.  Innovative blockchain technology efforts (by industry sector)  – with a focus on how the blockchain enables new business models, opportunities for innovative value proposition design, and decentralized governance – are listed here.

Exponential Innovation and Building the Bioeconomy of the Future:  Last year, we launched the Opportunities for Advantage Series to explore how exponential disruption and innovation require organizations to focus efforts to gain advantage. In a recent review of the series, we found that some patterns and groupings deserved to be highlighted to jumpstart the series for this year. To start, We found that the future of biotechnology was a cluster in the series, pointing to the opportunities for advantage created by the exponential disruption of the industrial base (including that of defense) coupled with exponential biotechnology innovation to build the bioeconomy of the future.  The following posts are a primer on the potential of such an effort  – including the challenges, threats, risks, and opportunities ahead for your organization in this technology and business ecosystem of the future.

The New Tech Trinity: Artificial Intelligence, BioTech, Quantum Tech: Will make monumental shifts in the world. This new Tech Trinity will redefine our economy, both threaten and fortify our national security, and revolutionize our intelligence community. None of us are ready for this. This convergence requires a deepened commitment to foresight preparation and planning on a level that is not occurring anywhere. The New Tech Trinity.

The Revolution in Biology: This post provides an overview of key thrusts of the transformation underway in biology and offers seven topics business leaders should consider when updating business strategy to optimize opportunity because of these changes. For more see:  The Executive’s Guide To The Revolution in Biology

Materials Science Revolution: Room-temperature ambient pressure superconductors represent a significant innovation. Sustainability gets a boost with reprocessable materials. Energy storage sees innovations in solid-state batteries and advanced supercapacitors. Smart textiles pave the way for health-monitoring and self-healing fabrics. 3D printing materials promise disruptions in various sectors. Perovskites offer versatile applications, from solar power to quantum computing. See: Materials Science

Planning for a Continuous Pandemic Landscape: COVID-19’s geopolitical repercussions are evident, with recent assessments pointing to China’s role in its spread. Regardless of the exact origins, the same conditions that allowed COVID-19 to become a pandemic persist today. Therefore, businesses must be prepared for consistent health disruptions, implying that a substantial portion of the workforce might always operate remotely, even though face-to-face interactions remain vital for critical decisions. See: COVID Sensemaking

“AI for Enterprise”: Lessons Learned from Healthcare, Hugging Face and Clinical Language Models:  Healthcare is already in the midst of an AI revolution – with an applied technology market maturity which outpaces most other industry sectors which are in a reactive mode to the AI hype cycle.  Explore these AI healthcare use cases and apply them to your organization using design and systems thinking.

The Future of Biosafety and the Global Gain-of-Function Research Ecosystem:  Researchers from the Center for Security and Emerging Technology (CSET) recently mapped “the gain- and loss-of-function global research landscape.”  We contextualize the CSET findings relative to the biosafety levels in U.S. biomedical laboratories. A looming question:  do other countries have an adequate commitment to health security and biosafety measures in their high risk pathogen research?

An OODAcast Conversation – Joe Tranquillo on the Revolution in Biological Science:  Joe Tranquillo is a Professor of Biomedical Engineering at Bucknell University and a provost at the school.  He is also an author and speaker with a knack for helping make new and at times complex subjects understandable. In this OODAcast we discuss many aspects of the revolution in biological sciences with Joe including topics like:  New ways of delivering medicines that target specific tissues; Discovery of the structure of almost every human protein; Methods to synthesize biomolecules, which can result in ways to manufacture a wide range of materials like therapeutics, flavors, fabrics, food, fuels; and New ways of growing food that is more productive and take fewer pesticides and fertilizers.

AI-powered Genomics: The convergence of machine learning, deep learning, and genomics, especially in the area of AI-powered genomic health prediction, while remarkably promising will also present remarkably challenging unintended consequences.  A recent report suggests areas that need to be explored  – starting now –  as “the issues posed by the…technologies become harder to predict, more complex and more numerous.”