Bold Goals for U.S. Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing

The world is on the cusp of an industrial revolution fueled by biotechnology and biomanufacturing. Emerging biological technologies are and will continue to transform the foundation of our physical
world – everything from clothing, to plastics, to fuels, to concrete. Through biomanufacturing, sustainable biomass across the United States can be converted into new products and provide an alternative to petroleum-based production for chemicals, medicines, fuels, materials, and more. While the most prominent applications today are related to human health, biotechnology and biomanufacturing are expanding to build products that will be everywhere in our lives and support climate and energy goals, improve food security, and grow the economy across all of America. Our Nation’s bioeconomy – economic activity derived from biotechnology and biomanufacturing – is strong. However, maintaining
our global leadership in research and development (R&D) and reaping the full benefits of the bioeconomy requires more action from across the public and private sectors.

On September 12, 2022, President Biden signed an Executive Order (E.O.) on “Advancing Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing Innovation for a Sustainable, Safe, and Secure American Bioeconomy.” In the E.O., the President laid out his vision for a whole-of-government approach to advance biotechnology and biomanufacturing by creating a research agenda that outlines the foundational and use-inspired R&D needs that will lead to innovative solutions in health, climate change, energy, food security, agriculture, supply chain resilience, and national and economic security. The E.O. also launched a National Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing Initiative to ensure that, beyond R&D, we have the domestic
capacity to make in the United States all the bio-based products that we invent here. This will create new jobs, build stronger supply chains, and contribute to our climate goals.

The President’s E.O. calls on Federal departments and agencies to harness biotechnology and biomanufacturing innovation to further societal goals and transform industries related to: (1) climate change solutions, (2) food and agriculture innovation, (3) supply chain resilience, (4) human health, and (5) cross-cutting advances. This document includes five sections responsive to the E.O., individually authored by the Department of Energy (DOE), Department of Agriculture (USDA), Department of Commerce (DOC), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and National Science Foundation (NSF), respectively, with input from other Federal departments and agencies.