In the 21st century, biotechnology stands as the cornerstone of a transformative era: the biorevolution. This convergence of breakthroughs in synthetic biology, machine learning, and engineering biology enables humanity to manipulate life’s building blocks, offering unprecedented opportunities—and equally profound challenges. Highlighted extensively in the Center for a New American Security’s report, Biopower: Securing American Leadership in Biotechnology[1], this transformative period holds the potential to revolutionize industries worldwide. From personalized medicine and regenerative agriculture to climate change mitigation and global security, biotechnology’s potential is staggering. However, the critical question remains: which nations will lead the charge in this new era of innovation?
The Biorevolution: Promise and peril
At its core, biotechnology leverages biological processes to create solutions for pressing challenges. This spans designing drought-resistant crops, engineering mRNA vaccines, and developing biofuels to replace fossil-based energy sources. A McKinsey report estimates that biological processes could directly impact the global economy by up to $4 trillion annually by 2040, spanning sectors from medicine to manufacturing.[2]
Despite this promise, biotechnology presents significant risks. Techniques that engineer life for constructive purposes can be weaponized.[3] Bioweapons, intrusive biosurveillance, and other ethical quandaries underscore the urgency of fostering responsible development. Nations that lead in biotechnology will dictate global standards, setting the boundaries for innovation and safeguards alike.
Global strengths in biopower
Several nations have established themselves as leaders in biotechnology. Groundbreaking achievements, including the development of CRISPR, mRNA vaccines, and the Human Genome Project, have set benchmarks for innovation. Structural advantages bolster leadership in many countries:
Research Ecosystems: World-class academic institutions and robust public investment have positioned nations like the United States, China, and those in the European Union as hubs for groundbreaking research. Public funding through entities such as the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in the U.S. or Horizon Europe plays a vital role in sustaining progress.
Private Investment: Venture capital and private sector involvement have fueled advancements in platform biotechnologies like machine learning-enabled drug discovery and regenerative medicine. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the biotechnology sector globally witnessed significant investment, showcasing its economic potential.
Talented Workforce: Countries that prioritize STEM education and create pathways for global talent have a distinct advantage. Immigration and educational initiatives aimed at attracting top researchers are critical for maintaining a competitive edge.
Regulatory Frameworks: Nations that streamline regulations and promote innovation while ensuring public safety and ethical considerations have a significant head start. Programs like BioMADE in the U.S. and Europe’s Bio-Based Industries Joint Undertaking demonstrate the power of targeted investments.
While these strengths underscore leadership in biotechnology, competition among nations remains fierce, with China emerging as a formidable contender.
China: A rising biopower
China’s biotechnology ambitions are clear. Beijing has prioritized biotechnology as a strategic industry, investing billions in research, infrastructure, and startups. Chinese companies like BGI Group and WuXi Biologics have emerged as global players, dominating markets in biomanufacturing and biodata. Alarmingly, China’s research output in areas like synthetic biology and genomic sequencing now rivals—and in some cases surpasses—that of other global leaders.[4]
China’s approach is characterized by state-supported monopolies, vast data collection efforts, and an accelerated development pipeline. For example, China leads in high-impact research on synthetic biology, an area critical for developing bio-based materials and fuels. Furthermore, China’s use of biotechnology for surveillance and potential military applications highlights the stakes of this competition. [5] [6]
Addressing global challenges
Despite significant progress, countries face barriers to sustaining leadership:
Underinvestment Beyond Health: While private and public funding overwhelmingly target biopharmaceuticals, sectors like agriculture, manufacturing, and energy receive relatively little attention.
Fragmented Regulation: A lack of cohesive international standards and overlapping regulatory frameworks create unnecessary hurdles for innovators.
Talent Pipeline Shortages: Gaps in STEM education and restrictive immigration policies threaten to erode the workforce essential for sustaining innovation.
Public Trust Deficit: Ethical concerns surrounding biosurveillance, genetic manipulation, and data security exacerbate skepticism toward biotechnology advancements.
Recommendations for strengthening global leadership
The Center for a New American Security (CNAS) outlines a comprehensive strategy to bolster global biopower in its report Biopower: Securing American Leadership in Biotechnology. The following priorities emerge:
Invest in Research and Infrastructure: Governments must extend funding beyond biopharmaceuticals to encompass agriculture, defense, and renewable energy applications. Initiatives like BioMADE and Europe’s bioeconomy programs demonstrate how targeted investments can accelerate innovation.[7]
Expand the Biotalent Pipeline: To address workforce shortages, nations should enhance STEM education, create biotechnology apprenticeship programs, and adopt policies to attract global talent.
Streamline Regulations: Simplifying regulatory landscapes at both national and international levels is crucial. Coordinated efforts through global bodies can provide clarity and foster collaboration.
Unlock Biodata: Establishing secure, interoperable platforms for genomic data, modeled after the UK Biobank, would enable large-scale research while safeguarding privacy.[8]
Strengthen Global Leadership: Leading nations should work together to establish international norms for biotechnology. Convening global summits to set ethical boundaries and promote transparency can reinforce shared values in this domain.
Build Public Trust: Increasing public awareness of biotechnology’s benefits, coupled with transparency about risks and safeguards, is essential. Policymakers and industry leaders should prioritize community engagement to foster informed support.
The stakes of inaction
Biotechnology’s trajectory will shape the 21st century. From safeguarding global security to addressing challenges like pandemics and climate change, the stakes for leadership are immense. The risks of falling behind include reliance on foreign adversaries for critical bioproducts, weakened economic competitiveness, and diminished influence over ethical and safety standards.
Historic achievements in biotechnology provide a foundation for future leadership. However, without ambitious action, many nations risk ceding their positions to more proactive competitors. By investing in infrastructure, talent, and global cooperation, the world can harness the biorevolution to ensure a sustainable and equitable future.
[1] https://www.cnas.org/press/press-release/new-cnas-report-outlines-strategy-to-secure-u-s-biotechnology-leadership
[2] https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/life-sciences/our-insights/the-bio-revolution-innovations-transforming-economies-societies-and-our-lives
[3] https://carnegieendowment.org/research/2024/10/mitigating-risks-from-gene-editing-and-synthetic-biology-global-governance-priorities?lang=en
[4] https://www.uscc.gov/sites/default/files/Research/US-China%20Biotech%20Report.pdf
[5] https://www.defenseone.com/ideas/2019/08/chinas-military-pursuing-biotech/159167/
[6] https://mwi.westpoint.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/2022-10-05-MWI_Chinese_Biotechnology_Wortzel.pdf
[7] https://www.biomade.org/news/biomade-revitalizing-us-biomanufacturing-and-fostering-collaborationnbspnbsp
[8] https://www.ukri.org/news/worlds-largest-genetic-project-unveils-incredible-new-data/
