Young Named to National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Todd Young (R-Ind.) has been appointed by Senate Armed Services Committee Ranking Member Jim Inhofe (R-Okla) to a national commission that will shape Department of Defense activities regarding biotechnology.

The National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology was established by Sec. 1091 of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2022 (FY22). It will conduct a thorough review of advances in emerging biotechnology, provide an interim report to the President of the United States and the Armed Services Committees within one year, and submit a final unclassified report within two years to the President and the committees, including recommendations for action by Congress and the federal government.

“I am excited to be named to the National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology, and I look forward to examining the serious questions about the role biotechnology plays in our rapidly changing world,” said Senator Young. “As we emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic, exploring the national security implications of biotechnology has never been more important. From weapons to farming to manufacturing, the opportunities and applications for this technology are vast. Both the promises and perils of this emerging field demands thoughtful scrutiny while working to ensure American leadership on the questions surrounding standard setting of this technology.”

Senator Young is the lead Republican co-sponsor of the United States Innovation and Competition Act, also known as the Endless Frontier Act, which would invest in emerging technologies like biotech, and establish tech hubs around the country to ensure high-tech jobs are not concentrated on the coasts.

Joining Senator Young on the National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology are:

U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Cal.)

U.S. Representative Stephanie Bice (R-OK-05)

U.S. Representative Ro Khanna (D-CA-17)

The Honorable Dov S. Zakheim, Senior Advisor at the Center for Strategic and International Studies and Senior Fellow at the CNA Corporation

Paul Arcangeli, Staff Director of the House Armed Services Committee

Dr. Alexander Titus, Product Strategy & Operations Lead at Google Research

Jason Kelly, Ph.D., co-founder and CEO of Ginkgo Bioworks

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