Last week, U.S. Senator Todd Young spoke at a hearing of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Cyber, Information Technologies, and Innovation. The focus of his testimony was the strategic importance of biotechnology in the competition between the United States and China. Young highlighted biotechnology’s role in national security and in strengthening American manufacturing and supply chain resilience.
Following the hearing, the National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology, chaired by Young, released a report to Congress. The report emphasizes the need for prioritizing biotechnology to maintain U.S. leadership over China.
“Today, the United States is locked in a competition with China that will define the coming century. This competition is playing out not only through arms races but also through the quest to dominate cutting-edge technology. Biotechnology is the next phase is this competition,” Young stated.
Young further elaborated on the critical role of biotechnology in maintaining military strength and creating jobs. “Biotechnology can help us maintain military superiority, ensuring our warfighters continue to be the strongest fighting force on tomorrow’s battlefields. Biotech will reshore supply chains and revitalize our manufacturing sector, creating American jobs for American workers creating American products right here in America.”
He concluded that biotechnology is essential for national security, economic strength, and global influence. “Biotechnology is no longer constrained to the realm of scientific achievement. It is now an imperative for national security, economic power, and global influence. The recommendations in our report represent our best chance to ensure biotechnology remains a hallmark of American innovation.”
