Strategic Report on Research and Development in Biotechnology for Defense Innovation

At the request of the National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology, Strategic Report on Research and Development in Biotechnology for Defense Innovation provides an overview of the current landscape of artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML)-enabled biotechnology, the opportunities it presents, and the challenges it poses. This report offers a strategic vision for connecting scientists and technologists to build on, leverage, and tailor advances at the intersection of AI/ML, automated experimentation, and biotechnology to drive innovation in defense-related biotechnologies. Strategic Report on Research and Development in Biotechnology for Defense Innovation makes recommendations to address long-standing challenges that have limited research, development, prototyping, testing and evaluation, and eventual use of biotechnologies. Addressing these challenges will help to advance U.S. national security and defense by improving the performance of existing capabilities, enabling the creation of domestic supply chains of valuable products, reducing reliance on processes and chemicals that are harmful to the environment, and/or adding new capabilities not currently possible with established technologies.

Table of Contents

Front Matter Summary 1 Study Scope and Approach 2 Biotechnology for Meeting National Security Needs 3 Creating a Research and Development Network for National Security and Defense: The BioCATALYST Network 4 Future Defense Capabilities through Innovative Biotechnologies 5 Opportunities for Preventing Misuse of Biotechnology References Appendix A: Public Meeting Agendas Appendix B: Study Committee Biographies