New Biotech Commission Issues Interim Report

The National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology published an interim report last month, outlining its initial policy recommendations for the U.S. to advance its domestic biotechnology industry and use advances in biotechnology to boost national security and economic competitiveness.

The report warns that, without action, the U.S. will fall behind China in biotechnology. In addition to urging greater investment in biotechnology R&D, the commission proposes new legislation to improve coordination between the Department of Agriculture and national security agencies through the creation of a senior adviser for national security within the USDA. It also proposes the creation of an interagency Biotechnology Oversight Coordination Committee by the White House’s Office of Science and Technology Policy and Office of Management and Budget.

Congress chartered the commission, modeling it on the National Security Commission on AI. The 12-member commission is chaired by Ginkgo Bioworks CEO Jason Kelly and includes Sens. Alex Padilla (D-CA) and Todd Young (R-IN) and Reps. Stephanie Bice (R-OK) and Ro Khanna (D-CA). Also among the members is Eric Schmidt, who co-chaired the NSCAI.