“The U.S. is on the cusp of the golden age of biotechnology,” writes BIO President and CEO John F. Crowley in STAT News—but only if we can maintain “American leadership in biotechnology” in the face of global threats.
“For more than a century, the United States has been the undisputed leader in medical and biotechnology innovation,” he begins. “Simply put, the nation’s leadership in extending and enhancing human life has advanced its political and moral authority in global affairs, underpinning its economic prosperity, diplomatic leverage, and national security.”
But now: “The country’s strategic rivals are aggressively investing in biotechnology in an effort to surpass and replace U.S. preeminence”—and that not only affects access and supply chains, but also makes “bioweapons more accessible to rogue nations and terrorist groups.”
What we need to do: “To deter and defend against biological attacks, America needs its own biodefense capabilities,” he explains. “Policymakers must also prioritize the country’s supply chain to ensure the U.S. has the capacity to meet both domestic and global demand for innovative medicines. The country must never be at risk of losing access to safe and effective medicines.”
The bottom line: “We need to maintain and bolster policies that foster biotech innovation,” he concludes, so that America can "continue its essential role as the world's medicine chest."
Read the whole thing in STAT News.
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