The Battle for Biopower: How the United States and China are Competing for Biotech Leadership

Biotechnology holds enormous potential to bolster U.S. national and economic security with transformative breakthroughs in sectors from defense to energy to health. 

While the United States remains the world’s leading biopower, its position is far from secure. China aspires to become the frontrunner in biotech by 2035 and already outperforms the United States in key biotechnologies, including synthetic biology and biological manufacturing. 

In this session, Vivek Chilukuri, senior fellow and director of the CNAS Technology and National Security Program, and Caitlin Frazer, executive director of the National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology, will take stock of the U.S.-China competition in biotechnology. They will discuss each country’s biotechnology strengths and weaknesses, explore the extent and durability of U.S. and Chinese leadership in this critical field, and identify opportunities for policymakers to maximize America’s biotech edge.