Biden Administration Issues Executive Order on Biotechnology Innovation

In a recent press release, the Biden administration issued an executive order on advancing biotechnology and biomanufacturing innovation. This order is multifaceted and addresses several aspects of biotechnology innovation. The administration aims to promote safe, sustainable, and secure biotech and biomanufacturing practices.

In the press release, President Biden says, “it is the policy of my Administration to coordinate a whole-of-government approach to advance biotechnology and biomanufacturing towards innovative solutions in health, climate change, energy, food security, agriculture, supply chain resilience, and national and economic security. Central to this policy and its outcomes are principles of equity, ethics, safety, and security that enable access to technologies, processes, and products in a manner that benefits all Americans and the global community and that maintains the United States’ technological leadership and economic competitiveness.”

The president highlights 10 ways they plan to reach their objectives. Among these 10 policies is a promise to invest federal money in research and development for these areas.

Alongside increased funding, secure data sharing, and market expansion, the administration hopes to implement and encourage sustainable production in the US to address and minimize the climate crisis.

Additionally, a goal of this press release was to announce the administration’s commitment to training a diverse workforce in biotechnology and biomanufacturing tools.

The press release states, “this plan shall promote the implementation of formal and informal education and training (such as opportunities at technical schools and certificate programs), career and technical education, and expanded career pathways into existing degree programs for biotechnology and biomanufacturing. This plan shall also include a focused discussion of Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Tribal Colleges and Universities, and Minority Serving Institutions and the extent to which agencies can use existing statutory authorities to promote racial and gender equity and support underserved communities, consistent with the policy established in Executive Order 13985.”

Another section of this executive order includes a declaration that a data initiative will be implemented to further the development of the domestic economy.  The goal is to develop a secure data set that can be easily accessed.

The executive order detailed multiple ways the administration plans to implement its goals. This announcement follows a previous statement that expanded equitable access to academic research. Assuming the implementation of this order is successful, it could revolutionize the domestic biotechnology and biomanufacturing industry.