Press Release from the U.S. Department of Defense
Originally Published on March 22, 2024
The Department of Defense today released its Biomanufacturing Strategy, a document that will guide research efforts, industry partnerships, and relationships with allies in a rapidly developing technology field with significant implications for national security and economic competitiveness.
“The National Defense Strategy directs us to seed opportunities in biotechnology as part of our broader responsibility to ensure our enduring technological advantage, and the Department of Defense Biomanufacturing Strategy will help guide our efforts in this critical technology field,” said Heidi Shyu, Under Secretary of Defense for Research & Engineering. “The strategy’s principles will define the path we must take to not just develop advanced technologies, but turn them into advanced capabilities that meet national security needs.”
Biomanufacturing is the use of biological mechanisms in the manufacturing process. Work is rapidly advancing that would introduce biomanufacturing processes for production of fuels, chemicals, and even construction materials. The field also has the potential to enable creation of biologically-based environmental sensors, wearable technology, and materials with wholly novel properties.